News Topics

HEIMIR Hallgrimsson insists he is a lover not a slater as he spared his players an ear-bashing.

The Ireland boss was hugely disappointed with his side’s performance in the scoreless draw against Luxembourg on Tuesday.

But the Icelander said: “You don’t need to shout, they’re clever boys. It’s the end of the season.

“Whatever I would shout now would probably be gone by the next time we meet up.”

He also said: “I cannot lie, we are obviously not happy with the performance and how we wanted to end this week.

“It felt like steps were taken and, yeah, I think we took maybe not a step backwards but we didn’t take the next step.

“But I’m not going to hang or execute anyone for this performance.

“We were really disappointed with the first half.

“It was actually just boring, there was nothing happening in the first half.”

Although Ireland hit the woodwork in both halves, they struggled to break their lowly opponents down and gave up chances at the other end.

The draw extended Ireland’s unbeaten run to four games — but it was a poor way for most of the players to sign off before their summer break.

Yet Hallgrimsson reckoned there was no point in reading the riot act to them at half-time or full-time because they know themselves better will be required in the World Cup qualifying campaign in the autumn.

He added: “We talked at half-time. It’s not about tactics. It’s not about formations.

“It was more about attitude — are you willing to do the work that’s necessary? The basics that are necessary in a football game.

“No matter who you play, no matter whether it’s a competitive or a friendly game, you need to do the basics.

“You need to deliver all the work that’s necessary. That was just missing, the basics.

“Credit to the players, that changed in the second half, there was more momentum, more power, more energy — still we were not happy but we didn’t lose at least.

“I’m not a shouter and we didn’t because everybody — and after the game as well — knew that this was not a good performance.”

Hallgrimsson should have more options to choose from in September, when the qualifiers begin with a home match against Hungary on September 6 followed by an away fixture in Armenia three days later.

Veteran Séamus Coleman and Ipswich Town pair Sammie Szmodics and Chiedozie Ogbene will hope to have recovered from injuries by then.

And he will also be able to call upon regulars such as Josh Cullen, Finn Azaz and Mikey Johnston who were rested on this occasion because of the long gap since the end of the Championship season.

Robbie Brady was the only player from the English second tier not involved in the play-offs in the squad before Bosun Lawal’s addition.

The 33-year-old limped off in Tuesday’s first half but his calf injury is not thought to be serious.

AN EIGHTIES rockstar has quit his band’s tour after being left seriously unwell in hospital.

The keyboard player for an iconic Scottish pop-rock group has now pleaded with music fans to “share your love” during his time of need.

Alamy

An Eighties rocker has been forced to pull out of his band’s tour[/caption]

Getty

James Prime, second right, is ‘serious ill’ in hospital[/caption]

James Prime, 64, juggles his time in Chocolate Girl band Deacon Blue with lecturing at a university.

Yet now both of the Dignity hitmaker’s careers are under threat due to an undisclosed illness.

The band posted an update on the Kilmarnock-born musician’s “serious” condition on X.

A typed out message of black text onto a white background read: “Dear friends.

“We wanted to share some news with you about our brother Jim.

“Unfortunately he is seriously ill and undergoing care in hospital.

“We would like you to join us in wishing him well and to share your love with him.”

It added: “We spoke to Jim yesterday about Deacon Blue’s plans for the rest of the year, and he encouraged us to continue with love in our hearts and with his full blessing that the show’s go ahead, even if it means replacing the irreplaceable James Miller Prime for the time being.

“Together with Jim’s family, we want to thank all the nurses, doctors and ICU staff for their ongoing care, professionalism and compassion.

“With love Ricky, Lorraine, Dougie, Gregor, Lewis and Tom.”

The band will next take to the stage in Aberdeen.

They will then pick the tour back up in September, with shows in Liverpool, Brighton, Birmingham and Leeds to name a few.

The lengthy run of gigs wraps on October 11 in Glasgow.

Fans on social media were quick to react to the medical blow and one put: “Sending love and best wishes xxxx.”

A second put: “Thinking of you all, but especially Jim. Love and solidarity. xx” as a third wrote: “Gutted to hear this… praying Jim pulls through. One of my keys hero’s and such a huge talent. Thoughts are with the band and Jim’s family.”

One then added: “Get well soon Jim. You’ll be missed.”

BAND COMEBACK

Recently, the band looked completely different before they headed out on tour.

Ricky Ross, James, Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond, Gregor Philp and Lewis Gordon currently make up the roster.

Past members include Graeme Kelling, Ewen Vernal, Mick Slaven, Scott Fraser, Taj Wyzgowski, Ged Grimes and Chris Henderson.

Their first album Raintown achieved moderate success upon its 1987 release, peaking at number 14 in the UK.

But their second record, When The World Knows Your Name, shot straight to number one.

Its lead single Real Gone Kid was even nominated for a Brit Award in the British Single of the Year category.

But Deacon Blue were beaten by the soft rock band Fairground Attraction, with their track Perfect.

Despite going on hiatus in 1994, they reformed in 1999 and have kept making music ever since.

Getty

They are known for tracks including Perfect and Chocolate Girl[/caption]

Getty

Fans were quick to send James their get-well wishes[/caption]

Rex

THIS is the shocking moment a terraced home exploded sending “earthquake-like” shockwaves down a residential street.

Emergency services were called to a suspected gas explosion at a property on Eden Street in Alvaston, Derby, at 7.24pm on Tuesday.

BBC

This is the shocking moment a terraced home exploded in Derby[/caption]

BBC

CCTV showed debris and dust flying into the air as the blast tore through the house[/caption]

Splash

The aftermath of a suspected gas explosion at a house on Eden Street in Alvaston[/caption]

Dramatic footage captured on nearby CCTV showed debris and dust flying into the air as the blast tore through the house.

A man was taken to hospital and the extent of his injuries is unknown.

One dog with injuries was also rescued overnight and is being treated by vets.

Derbyshire Police asked people to avoid the area.

Residents went from enjoying a normal Tuesday night to being at the heart of a serious incident.

Some have no idea when they will be allowed back again.

Harrison has lived in the street, just doors away from the explosion, for nine years.

She described the terrifying ordeal saying she thought the explosion happened in their house.

“I’ve never heard anything like it before,” Harrison said.

“We’d just had tea and I was with my daughter sorting the kitchen out. I’m so lucky she was with me at the time.

“The bang went off and I just didn’t know where to run.”

Mary Stocking, 76, of Lincoln Avenue, said: “I heard something last night but I didn’t think anything of it.

“I just thought it could be anything but I feel a bit naive now.

“You just never think these sorts of things will happen so close to home.”

Another local, Gill Jennings, said the explosion “made the ground shake” from her home on Nunsfield Drive nearly half a mile away.

She said: “We were sitting at home watching TV. I’d put the kettle on and I just remember feeling a shake underneath my feet followed by a bang.”

Two fire engines, a command support vehicle and officers went to the scene.

They were supported by police, building control officers, emergency planning officers and representatives from utilities.

London Road and Shardlow Road have now reopened.

A spokesman for Cadent, the gas distribution network, said: “We were called to attend an explosion in Eden Street, Alvaston, at 7.38pm last night.

“At the moment it is too early to speculate on the cause.

“We are currently working closely with the emergency services, but our priority is to make the area safe.”

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The investigation into the cause of the explosion will begin later today as crews continue to work to make the area safe.

“Eden Street will remain closed until further notice.”

Derbyshire Police said: “A joint police and fire service investigation into the cause of an explosion at a property in Derby is due to start today.

“We were called to the incident in Eden Street at 7.24pm on Tuesday. One man has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“A dog with some injuries was also rescued from the property.

“An investigation into the cause of the explosion will be begin later today. Eden Street remains closed.”

LNP

A man was taken to hospital and the extent of his injuries is unknown[/caption]

Splash

Emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance, responded at around 7.30pm[/caption]

SWNS

Derbyshire Police asked people to avoid the area[/caption]

BPM

One dog with injuries was also rescued overnight and is being treated by vets[/caption]

Creating God of War’s brutal combat meant throwing every boxing rule out the window. Motion capture artist Eric Jacobus learned this the hard way when Santa Monica Studio told him his perfectly executed punches looked completely wrong for Kratos. Turns out making a god feel godlike requires breaking everything you know about proper fighting technique. […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Teams need their stars to win titles. But they need their supporting cast along the way, their unsung heroes to step up in the unexpected moments.

Каньє Вест / © Associated Press Американський репер та продюсер Каньє Вест після зміни імені обрав нове прізвище та здивував, як його тепер звуть. Виконавець продовжує дивувати прихильників своїми епатажними вчинками. Ще у жовтні 2021 року репер офіційно змінив ім’я. Відтак його більше звали не Каньє, а просто Є (Ye). Однак на цьому артист не […]

В системі “Е-запис” змінено послідовність дій. Для покращення здійснення онлайн-запису на послуги сервісних центрів МВС були внесені зміни в систему “Е-запис”. Відтепер крайньою для запису датою є 21-ий день, який стає доступний кожного нового дня о 06:00 годині ранку, інформує Департамент комунікації МВС за матеріалами ГСЦ. Для зручності відвідувачів, змінено послідовність кроків при реєстрації в Е-записі. Спочатку обирається послуга, […]

0 Діабет другого типу є поширеним захворюванням, від якого страждають як молоді, так і літні люди. Припинити появу діабету можливо, якщо прибрати фактори, які його викликають. При діабеті другого типу підшлункова залоза виробляє менше інсуліну, ніж потрібно. Що ж підвищує ризик появи цього захворювання. Фактор №1. Генетика. На жаль, відіграє велику роль у виникненні діабету. […]

  0 Рибу не можна не любити. Річкова чи морська, маленька чи велика вона ще й надзвичайно корисна. Хтось віддає перевагу запеченій чи соленій, кожна смачна по-своєму. Подробиці Але не завжди всім сподобається  невелика риба, яка після смаження може стати сухою та не надто смачною. Та якщо ви приготуєте її у клярі, який ми пропонуємо, […]

An official declaration that Iran is in breach of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations raises the prospect of a referral to the UN Security Council.