Gordon Strachan has explained to GOAL what it takes to be an Old Firm manager, with the former Celtic boss admitting that “your entire life is ripped apart”. It takes a special kind of character to embrace that pressure in Glasgow, at Parkhead or Ibrox, with Martin O’Neill proving at 74 years of age that he still ticks the box when it comes to filling the most demanding of roles.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has expressed his deep concern that the iconic atmosphere of the Old Firm derby may be "lost" following the chaotic scenes that marred the end of Sunday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final. The Hoops secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Rangers at Ibrox, but the triumph was overshadowed by a significant pitch invasion. Police have already confirmed that nine arrests were made following the disorder, and more are expected in the coming days.
Legendary former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has questioned why fans that marred the latest Old Firm derby, those “wearing masks and punching police”, are being allowed to dictate how long managers spend in any given post. Wilfried Nancy lasted just 33 days in charge at Parkhead this season, while ex-Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou was given only 39 at Nottingham Forest.
Though the Premier League took a week off to allow for the FA Cup, there were still plenty of storylines to follow within England, while title races around the rest of Europe continue to take plenty of twists and turns.
Current title holders Real Madrid are miles ahead of any other club in Europe's most prestigious competition, having gone all the way whopping 15 times – more than twice the number of titles lifted by any other club.
How many teams are in the Champions League?
The newest format, introduced ahead of the 2024-25 season, features 36 teams, four more than in the previous format. The competition was known as the European Cup at the time of its inception in 1955 before being rebranded to the UEFA Champions League ahead of the 1992-93 season. In its inaugural edition in 1955-56, only 16 teams contested.
Who has made the most Champions League appearances ever?
Cristiano Ronaldo sits at the top of the appearance-making charts, having played in 183 Champions League games, representing Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the Champions League?
No surprises here! It's Mr. Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the leading goalscorer in the Champions League with an astonishing 141 goals to his name!
Who has the most assists in the history of the Champions League?
Cristiano Ronaldo is not just a prolific goalscorer, but also has a keen eye for his team-mates as his record 42 assists in the Champions League prove.
Who is the oldest player ever in the Champions League and how old was he?
Former Italian goalkeeper Marco Ballotta holds the distinction of being the oldest player ever in the Champions League. Playing for Lazio against Real Madrid in the 2007-08 season, Ballotta was aged 43 years and 252 days.
Who is the youngest player ever in the Champions League and how old was he?
Borussia Dortmund prodigy Youssoufa Moukoko is the youngest player ever to feature in a Champions League game. He set the record on December 8 2020, in Dortmund's group stage fixture against Zenit St. Petersburg, aged 16 years and 18 days.
Which famous players have played in the Champions League?
Gianluigi Buffon, Raul, Robert Lewandowski, Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Toni Kroos, Zinedine Zidane, Paolo Maldini, Lionel Messi, and Mo Salah, to name a few, are some of the greatest and most famous footballing faces to have graced the Champions League over the decades.
Which famous managers have managed in the Champions League?
Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, Frank Rijkaard, Unai Emery, Thomas Tuchel, Zinedine Zidane, Sir Alex Ferguson, and Arsene Wenger are some of the most famous managers to have coached a club in the Champions League.