world News

SCOTT McTOMINAY is proving Manchester United wrong – and Paolo Di Canio right – after becoming Napoli’s “Jolly Blue Giant”.

Soon after Old Trafford chiefs sold the 6ft 3in midfielder to the Serie A club, Premier League legend Di Canio announced, with typical understatement:  “I would go to Manchester United to arrest all the directors – how do you give McTominay away?”

Rex

Scott McTominay is the darling of the Napoli fans and Italian press[/caption]

Getty

The midfielder was sold by boyhood club United in the summer – against the wishes of many fans and then-boss Erik ten Hag[/caption]

Instagram @scottmctominay

McTominay came through the academy under Sir Alex Ferguson – meaning United made pure profit on his £25m sale[/caption]

How much do Napoli’s fans agree? McTotally.

That is the nickname that the club’s ultras have given to McTominay because of his all-action, totally committed, hard-running style.

And the former Old Trafford trainee has become so crucial to Napoli’s title charge under Antonio Conte that many regard him as a successor to Diego Maradona as the leader of the team.

Leading Italian media outlet Gazzetta dello Sport recenty hailed McTominay as “the warrior soul of Napoli“.

The wildcard in Conte’s pack

The midfielder was given the “Jolly” tag by local press soon after his arrival last summer.

Playing cards imported to Italy from the UK contain a “Jolly Joker” and the Scotland international is regarded as the wild card in Conte’s pack, a versatile player who can be the difference between having a good hand and winning.

But “jolly” also reflects how happy McTominay is in his new surroundings.

He and girlfriend Cam Reading have been pictured out and about enjoying life on the Amalfi Coast.

McTominay said: “It’s not easy going abroad and having to settle in, but it’s been quite seamless, to be fair, in terms of how much the Italian people have helped me settling into my house and whatever.

“Things I need like a car or a taxi or anything like that. I’m very grateful to them. 

“They’re real great people who I’m very thankful for as well.”

Last summer United cashed in on academy product McTominay – against the wishes of then boss Erik ten Hag and many supporters  – to help them meet Premier League financial rules.

But it now looks like a false economy.

While United spent around £50m on replacement midfielder Manuel Ugarte but still languish in the lower half of the Premier League, a McTominay-inspired Napoli are top of Serie A.

The Scot’s six goals and four assists in 21 appearances tell only part of the story.

McTominay’s physical presence at both ends of the pitch and his ability to fulfil a variety of roles has allowed Conte to ditch his usual preference for three at the back.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Conte said: “Scott is a complete player, versatile.

“He can be a trequartista behind the striker, he can be a mezzala in a three-man midfield, play in a two-man midfield or even wide in a 5-4-1 with licence to attack.”

When I first walked into the Maradona Stadium it was surreal, knowing he is a legend of football

McTominay

McTominay made a big impression in his very first start for Napoli, at Juventus back in September.

Conte’s side ground out a 0-0 draw and Italian broadcaster Riccardo Trevisan claimed that McTominay had made Juve stars look like “children”.

Trevisani added: “Seeing McTominay live is incredible, impressive. He looked like Gulliver with children, they bounced off him.”

Months later McTominay remains one of Napoli’s main men.

Last month he scored in the 3-2 win over top-of-the-table rivals Atalanta. Days later, the Scot won the penalty from which fellow Premier League outcast Romelu Lukaku scored to complete a second-half comeback and seal a 2-1 win.

If McTominay can inspire Napoli to their second Serie A crown in three seasons, he will join Maradona in the list of club legends.

Getty

McTominay celebrates with his Napoli team-mates and coach Antonio Conte, who has hailed the midfielder’s versatility[/caption]

AP

Fans have compared McTominay to Napoli legend Diego Maradona for the impact he’s had on the title-chasing team[/caption]

Splash

Premier League icon Di Canio says United’s directors should be in big trouble for letting McTominay leave[/caption]

Instagram / @camreading_

McTominay and partner Cam Reading took the brave step of moving abroad[/caption]

Not known, clear with picture desk

But the couple have settled in well to their new life in southern Italy[/caption]

The club’s stadium is named after the Argentina star who led them to their first ever Italian titles in 1987 and 1990.

McTominay said: “When I first walked into the stadium it was a surreal feeling – knowing he is an icon, an absolute legend of football.

“The people absolutely adore him, which is a huge factor, because of how well he played for them and the things he did in Naples. 

“So for us, he is definitely in our head and hearts.”

Napoli fans have certainly taken McTominay to their hearts.

They even expressed their concern and sympathy when it emerged he was moving to the suburb of Lago Patria.

Although the area is popular with ex-pats and close to Napoli’s training ground, it has also gained a reputation as a crime hotspot, with burglaries and car theft.

The Italian Navy has stopped showing staff the neighbourhood as a potential place to live.

When news of McTominay’s choice of home came out, one fan commented: “I recommend that you close the door tightly in the evening.”

Meanwhile, the £25m that Napoli paid for McTominay is starting to look like daylight robbery itself.

Alamy

Manuel Ugarte was brought in by United for £50m, double what they sold McTominay for[/caption]

A GYPSY has revealed the heart-wrenching reason she’s always dressed in black, explaining that it’s to do with her culture.

Pashy regularly shares videos on her social media page, and often opens up about her “gypsy way of life”.

tiktok/@gypsyqueenpashy1

tiktok/@gypsyqueenpashy1

She’s also happy to answer followers’ questions, and was recently asked why she always seems to be wearing black.

She responded in a video on TikTok, as she explained: “When somebody close to you in the family dies, we’ve got to wear black for a whole year. It’s respect.”

Her mum sadly passed away last August, so Pashy has been wearing black since then.

“There is a lot out there these days that don’t do it,” she admitted.

“But the old ones they do. We’ve been brought up the old-fashioned way.”

Pashy also admitted she’ll probably continue to wear black even after the year is up.

“I’ll probably carry on wearing it for quite a long time,” she said.

“My sisters ain’t gonna come out of it and I don’t think I am – maybe I might wear black with a bit of colouring or whatever, but I’ll always still wear black later on.”

She went on to admit it hasn’t got any easier for her to come to terms with her mother’s passing, and feels like she lost her “a week ago”, rather than nearly six months ago.

“When somebody loses their parents, it’s never the same,” she said.

“We can carry on and try and do things Differently and whatever but it’s always there.

“Unless it happens to you, nobody will ever ever understand – no-one knows how you feel inside.

“You’re breaking your heart in two you you’re broke.”

Pashy concluded her video by urging people to “be kind” to others because you never “know what other people go through”.

“Don’t judge people it don’t matter what they’ve got what they ain’t,” she said.

“Just remember this – you can be a multi-millionaire, you can be poor and live in a cardboard box.

“You’re all going down in the same hole.

“Remember that no one’s perfect and no-one’s better than anyone else.”

People were quick to comment on Pashy’s video, with one admitting: “My hubby died 13 yrs ago and I always wear black.”

“My mum has been gone 16 years this year – still miss her everyday, still talk to her,” another added.

“I wore black for a year as well, sending love.”

“It doesn’t get easier, the grief never leaves you,” a third wrote.

“It’s been five years since I lost my Mam, I miss her and think about her everyday.

“You just learn to deal with it. Bless you, keep going.”

“This made me cry,” someone else said.

“I understand you, my mamma has been gone 10 years and I still yearn for her so badly – my heart hurts with the pain.”

“So hard,” Pashy replied.

“Everyday you get up, no matter how, you try get on each day – it just breaks my heart.”

REAL MADRID’S Santiago Bernabeu and Barcelona’s Camp Nou could be snubbed as hosts of the 2030 World Cup final.

Spain will be co-hosting the competition along with Portugal and Morocco in about five years.

Populous

The Stade Hassan II may host the 2030 World Cup final[/caption]

Populous

The Moroccan ground will have a capacity of 115,000 and will be the largest in the world[/caption]

SPA

Each end of the stadium will hold 29,500 general admission spectators[/caption]

Populous

The ground has a provisional budget of 5billion dirhams (£381million)[/caption]

However, Real and Barca‘s crown jewel could miss out on the final to a very unlikely competitor.

That is none other than Morocco’s new pride and joy, the Stade Hassan II.

The 115,000-capacity ground is projected to be the largest football stadium in the world.

The stadium has been designed by Populous in collaboration with Paris-based architects Oualalou + Choi.

Each end of the stadium will hold 29,500 general admission spectators.

Five levels of hospitality along each of the main stands at the side of the pitch will welcome 12,000 VVIP, VIP, Hospitality and Box users, in addition to the Royal box.

The ground, which has a provisional budget of 5billion dirhams (£381million), will also serve as the home of Morocco‘s national football team and two local clubs.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2028 and the stadium will be built on a surface of 100 hectares in the province of Benslimane, which is some 38km north of Casablanca.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS

Design Principal and founding partner at Oualalou + Choi Tarik Oualalou insists the “state-of-the art” stadium “has occupied space and is giving up space around it”, unlike other candidates like the Bernabeu, which is located within the city.

Oualalou, who is also the lead architect, told EFE: “Morocco’s proposal is to build the largest stadium in the world for the World Cup final in Morocco.

“So it is not only calibrated, but it is designed for this, it is imagined for this.”

Getty

LIDL is selling some seriously cheap kitchen staples, including posh Le Creuset dupes at a fraction of the cost of the real thing.

The German discounter is rolling out a number of bargain finds perfect for your kitchen as part of its Middle of Lidl range.

Lidl

The Lidl dish is just like one from Le Creuset for a fraction of the price[/caption]

Lidl

You can also bag a posh aluminium pan for a bargain price[/caption]

Alamy

The range will be available from Lidl later this week[/caption]

The Livarno Cast Iron Casserole Dish will be available in stores from Thursday for just £29.99.

The 4.7L dish is perfect for roasting, stewing or braising for the whole family.

It’s suitable for all hob types, including induction, and is oven-safe up to 240°C too – not to mention there’s a three year warranty.

And you really can’t go wrong for £29.99 – that’s £299.01 cheaper than the Cast Iron Oval Casserole dish (also 4.7L), which would set you back a whopping £329.

The casserole dish isn’t the only bargain buy hitting the shelves of Lidl though.

You can also snap up the Lilac Stoneware Oven Dish, which comes in both small and large sizes.

The large dish is priced at £4.99 while the small version is the same price for two.

According to Lidl bosses, the dishes are “ideal for making and serving casseroles, lasagne, roasts and cakes.”

They’re also suitable for both microwaves and dishwashers, not to mention oven-safe up to 250°C.

Then there’s the Mini Aluminium Frying Pan for just £3.99 – or you can pick up the Cast Aluminium Frying Pan for £16.99.

The cast aluminium pan boats “new generation coating with innovative multiple layer system – ceramic reinforced primer and a unique polymer matrix in the top coat for improved, outstanding and long-lasting non-stick properties,” the product description notes.

It’s also “hard-wearing and durable” as well as “scratch resistant”.

You can also expect some smaller bargains from the range, including the Insulated Bottle, £3.99, Lunchbox, £2.99, Large Chopping Board, £5.99.

And there’s utensils for £1.99, including a slotted spoon, whisk, brush and spatula.

How can I save money when shopping at Lidl?

Lidl reduces items at the start of the day and the best deals can be found between 7am to 8am, when most stores open.

Shoppers can often find cooked meats, salmon fillets and breads reduced by 30% or more.

Not only does Lidl have its own range of reasonably priced alcohol, it also has its own knock-offs of branded favourites – so say cheers to its bargain booze.

Everyone knows about the “Middle of Lidl” – it’s here where you’ll find a load of random stuff that you didn’t realise you need, at decent prices.

But if you are hoping to avoid spending more than you planned, you can check what will be in the “Middle of Lidl” on the supermarket’s website in advance.

The Middle of Lidl is refreshed every Thursday and Sunday.

Shoppers can also keep tabs on what’s appearing in the “Pick of the Week” section on the Lidl website.

The discounts happen every Thursday and are usually on fruit, vegetables, and meat.

Lidl

Choose from two small dishes or the large one[/caption]

Lidl

The mini pan is perfect if you’re cooking for one[/caption]

A PROFESSIONAL cleaner has revealed the process he uses to tackle hard water stains.

The expert explained that the hack will leave any shower looking as “good as new”.

TikTok / @jason.cleans

TikTok user Jason showed his followers the technique he uses to get shower doors gleaming[/caption]

TikTok / @jason.cleans

The professional cleaner transformed the shower door so it looked ‘good as new’[/caption]

In his viral video, TikTok user Jason (@jason.cleans) talked his followers through the process.

The TikToker, who set up his own cleaning business, explained that he was going to make a screen covered in hard water stains look “brand new again”.

He began by removing any items in the shower so as not to damage them during the clean.

Next, Jason rinsed all the surfaces down with hot water before applying a sulfamic acid-based cleaning product.

You can pick up these cleaners from Amazon, with the HG Limescale Remover Foam Spray currently available for just £5.85.

The cleaning professional recommended using a non-scratch scourer to scrub in this product.

Jason advised his audience to work the cleaner in using “circular motions,” demonstrating the technique.

He explained that he usually begins at the top and works his way down the surface.

The TikToker also removed the seal at the bottom of the shower screen and scrubbed it separately before re-attaching.

“After the chemical has sat on the shower screen and the tiles for about 10 to 15  minutes, just go back in and scrub it once again just to let the chemical dig in a little bit more,” Jason advised.

He then gave the surfaces a final rinse and used a squeegee to remove any excess water.

Jason then dried the surfaces with a cloth and used an isopropyl-based cleaning product to polish the inside and the outside of the glass as well as the fixtures inside the shower.

You can pick up a bottle of Pure Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol for just £5.80.

He showed his audience the now gleaming glass surface of the shower screen.

TikTok users shared their thoughts on the process in the comments section.

“Love cleaning videos, I feel more motivated, thanks,” said one follower.

“Literally would need you to do this for me daily,” wrote another viewer.

“I just don’t have the arm strength to do this,” joked a third commenter.

“This alongside ovens are my nightmare,” commented another TikTok user.

“This is the only way I clean my shower now and works a treat every time,” said one person.

Amazon

The expert recommended using a sulfamic acid-based cleaning product to transform your shower screen[/caption]

Team USA forward Mattew Tkachuk hyped up the upcoming 4 Nations final against Team Canada. The bordering rivals will face off in a rematch from last Saturday’s electric 3-1 win for the Americans, which secured Team USA’s spot in the final. While this clash took place in Montreal, this game for all the marbles will […]

The post Matthew Tkachuk gets 100% real about rematch in 4 Nations final vs. Canada appeared first on ClutchPoints.

THERE was a time when no one would have put the words “Glasgow” and “Michelin stars” in the same sentence unless they were joking.

At the turn of the century, our largest city was known for its nightlife and perhaps even the deep-fried Mars bar but not for fine dining.
How times have changed.

Last Monday night, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum played host to the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland launch, shining a spotlight on Scotland’s thriving food scene.

Two Edinburgh restaurants, Lyla and Avery, were awarded their first Michelin stars adding to the capital’s list of top-tier dining spots.

The real winner of the night was Scotland’s hospitality scene. The choice of Glasgow as host city was a statement: Scottish hospitality is on the rise and its food scene is a force to be reckoned with.

For years, Edinburgh has been Scotland’s Michelin darling, with long-established fine dining institutions and an ever-growing list of stars.

But Glasgow’s food culture is something different — grittier, more diverse, and increasingly ambitious. It’s a city built on hard work and big ideas, and nowhere is that more evident than in its hospitality industry.

Once written off as a place with one of the worst diets on Earth, Glasgow is now home to an eclectic mix of restaurants that rival any major city.

It may not have added a Michelin star to its tally this year but the awards night firmly places it on the map as the city’s Margo and GaGa eateries were recognised with a Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Scotland’s food and drink industry is one of the country’s biggest economic drivers. It employs over 200,000 people and generates around £15billion for the economy each year.

The Michelin Awards are great for boosting tourism and investment but they also serve as a reminder the sector needs real support to thrive.

That’s why warnings from the hospitality industry about rising costs and tax pressures should not be ignored.

A recent report revealed that Scottish hospitality businesses face a £369million tax hit over the next five years due to National Insurance hikes.

The Lib Dems and industry leaders have rightly called on the UK Government to exempt hospitality from this increase, arguing that businesses already struggling with soaring energy costs and supply chain issues cannot afford another financial burden.

If we want Scotland to continue being a world-class destination then we need the hospitality to back it, facilitated by policies that encourage investment, not ones that threaten to drain the industry of its talent and ambition.

It’s not just about high-end restaurants and Michelin stars.
The vibrancy of our hospitality scene depends on pubs, cafes, independent eateries, and local producers surviving.

The same young chefs who dream of earning Michelin stars often start out in small kitchens, honing their craft in businesses that might not survive a new round of tax hikes.

Food and hospitality don’t just bring in tourists either.

They create jobs, attract investment, and shape the way cities develop.

A thriving restaurant scene can transform entire neighbourhoods, drawing in new businesses and making areas more desirable places to live and work. If Glasgow has proven anything over the past two decades, it’s that reinvention is possible.

That’s why it’s worth celebrating moments like Last Monday’s Michelin Awards, not just for the chefs who took home stars but for the entire industry.

Hosting the event in Glasgow was a recognition of the city’s journey and a nod to the potential still to be realised. Scotland has the talent, the produce and the passion to be a true food powerhouse.

What it needs now is the right environment to let that talent flourish.

So, let’s raise a glass to the winners, the runners-up and everyone who makes Scotland’s hospitality sector what it is.

And while we’re at it, let’s make sure that the people in charge whether in Westminster or Holyrood recognise that investing in this industry isn’t just a nice thing to do. It’s a smart economic move.

If Glasgow can go from a deep-fried punchline to Michelin host city, imagine what it could do with better support.

JESS Wright has shared that she was terrified when her “lifeless” son was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

The former star of The Only Way Is Essex has shared how her son recently became “limp and lifeless”.

Instagram

Jess Wright has shared how her baby son became ‘limp and lifeless’ recently[/caption]

Instagram

Jess shared the update on Instagram[/caption]

Instagram

Jess was terrified when she realised how poorly her son was last week[/caption]

Instagram

Jess and her husband William Lee-Kemp welcomed Presley in May 2022[/caption]

Instagram/@jesswright77

Jess previously shared that Presley has a rare congenital heart disease called Bicuspid Aortic Valve[/caption]

Taking to Instagram to to share the scary health update with her fans and followers, Jess revealed how the past week had been “tough” for her baby boy and their family.

“I wanted to share what happened, to reiterate how important it is to go & get them checked when your gut knows something just isn’t right,” she began.

She then explained how her young son, Presley, 2, “suddenly became limp & lifeless” last Tuesday.

Jess said how he was “refusing food & then throwing up in the night”.

She went on: “He’s been in our bed every night since (something he’s never really done that much).

“This sickness turned into a horrific cough, with a temperature, until finally on Friday my mother’s instinct kicked in & I took him to a&e.

“He was sent home as his observations after another dose of nurofen were ‘ok’ & they couldn’t hear anything suspicious in the lungs.

“At this point, for 48 hours he’d had a temperature & his breathing was rapid, especially during the night, which frightened me beyond belief.”

The 4 Nations Face-Off round robin stage ended on Monday night as Team USA lost to Team Sweden 2-1. Team USA suffered a few injuries during the contest, but are off to the 4 Nations Final against Team Canada. Unfortunately, their injuries woes have continued. And the latest update is rather concerning for defenseman Charlie […]

The post USA’s Charlie McAvoy sent to hospital during Sweden loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden helped Team Shaq win the championship at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, but the tournament itself wasn’t without controversy. Shaquille O’Neal’s team defeated Charles Barkley’s team in the final round, 41-25. Harden had a team-high four assists in the championship round to go along with […]

The post Clippers’ James Harden doesn’t hold back on new NBA All-Star Game format appeared first on ClutchPoints.