Ally McCoist is one of Scottish soccer's best-loved characters. In a two-decade career, he won the hearts and minds of legions of fans as he established himself as one of the most popular sporting personalities in the UK. A schoolboy prodigy, it was always clear that McCoist was destined for top flight soccer. At just 16 he signed his first professional contract with St. Johnstone, shooting to prominence in the 1980-81 season, scoring 22 league goals, and playing a starring role for the Scottish youth team. He was soon hot property. After two years of mixed fortunes at Sunderland, McCoist returned to Scotland and signed with his boyhood heroes, the Glasgow Rangers. Over the next fifteen years, he established himself as arguably the greatest goal-scorer ever to play for the club. He not only gave heart and soul for Rangers but was also capped 61 times for Scotland. An authoritative and affectionate portrait of this much-loved sportsman, "Ally McCoist: Rangers Legend" charts the highs and lows of a fascinating career, culminating in McCoist reaching legendary status. It also looks at the events that helped to shape his life overcoming homesickness when first playing for an English club and how he coped when his young son had to undergo several life-saving operations. Having hung up his boots, Ally's vibrant personality made him a natural for the television screen. Now, however, he has come full circle and returned "home" after a successful spell as assistant manager at his beloved Rangers, he has taken over the reins to become manager. This wonderful book is a must-read for any soccer fan, or indeed for anyone captivated by this large-than-life character."

'A gold mine for football fans and collectors.' – Dan Keane, Sport Cards UK 'If you're a fan of classic football history and football stickers, get your hands on one.' – Paolo Panini PANINI'S GREATEST FOOTBALL STICKER STARS IN ONE AMAZING BOOK 'Got, got, need', 'swapsies' and 'shinies' PANINI LEGENDS showcases in sticker form 85 of the most-celebrated players in men's and women's football. Icons like Pelé, Diego Maradona, Franz Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore are present, of course, but they share the limelight with modern stars such as Lionel Messi, Marta, Kylian Mbappé, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexia Putellas. Written by respected sticker authority Greg Lansdowne, the book features stickers from a host of domestic leagues and all the major international tournaments, expertly selected from over 60 years' worth of albums. – Which players made the PANINI album but didn't play? – Who never missed a season as a sticker? – Whose rookie – a player's first sticker – is most sought after? Inside the book: – More than 900 iconic PANINI stickers from the domestic and international football competitions – Extended career profiles of the greatest players to grace PANINI albums – PANINI stickers showing kits of some of world's most famous football teams

THE HILARIOUS NEW BOOK FROM ONE OF BRITAIN'S BEST-LOVED NATIONAL TREASURES! This is not a book of life lessons. But Freddie Flintoff has had a moment to reflect and he's noticed that throughout his four decades, although there's been little method in the madness, there has been the occasional common thread. The Book of Fred is filled with anecdotes, observations and the odd opinion all told with Fred's trademark humour and no-nonsense style. Fred's approach to life draws on the sublime (his series winning performance in the 2005 Ashes) and the ridiculous (singing Elvis Presley's 'Suspicious Minds' in front of a live audience), from highs (making the transition to top TV presenter) to occasional lows (accidentally upsetting the lovely Bruce Forsyth), from the profane (discussing Shane Warne's barnet with Hollywood royalty) to the profound (why 'having a go' leads to self-respect). Throughout, Fred shares his code for success, happiness and a life fully lived - and gives his readers a laugh, some joy, and (the occasional) pause for thought along the way.

The Ultimate Companion to A Beautiful Game This new Rough Guide is the only soccer book of its kind. It uncovers the most amazing stories and the unlikeliest personalities on Planet Football, both past and present, that help to make soccer the greatest show on earth. We reveal the stories behind the mavericks and cult figures who make up the real heroes of the game - from cultured midfielders to jailbirds, drinkers to straight arrows, local legends to international wanderers. The book showcases an amazing and unusual roll-call of talent that stretches from Ferenc Puskas to Stan Bowles, Eric Cantona to Jose Chilavert and Garrincha to Perry Groves. Throughout, we run our eye over the special clubs - from the New York Cosmos to Berwick Rangers and Estudiantes; managers and football rivalries - from 'El Clásico' to the Faroe Islands derby; and recall extraordinary games from 'The Battle of Highbury' to underdog fixtures where the likes of Northern Ireland, Wimbledon, and Dynamo Kiev overcame the might of Spain, Liverpool, and the Nazis. Post-match analyses of football culture, ephemera, science, and some strange statistics, complete this ultimate fiesta of football fun. "Ain't it great to be alive? All you need is the green grass and a ball" -Pele

The Scottish League Cup is often wrongly described as the 'Cinderella' of Scottish football, as distinct from its two ugly sisters, the Scottish League and the Scottish Cup. Dating from the Second World War, it is certainly the youngest. The trophy is unusual, if not unique, in having three handles. It is a major part of the Scottish season, and has been keenly contested for 75 years. Sixteen teams have won the cup. Unsurprisingly, the big Glasgow clubs have won it the most, but Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and Dundee have also tasted glory. The trophy has also given the likes of Raith Rovers and Livingston their moments in the sun - and who could ignore the mighty deeds of East Fife, who won the cup three times in its first decade? Rangers hold the record for Scottish League Cup wins, but Celtic's victories have been more spectacular, not least their astonishing 7-1 triumph in the 1957 final. This book pays homage to each one of the 75 seasons, with a detailed account of every final.

Chris Sutton is one of the finest centre-forwards of his generation. He played for Norwich, Blackburn, Chelsea and Celtic for combined transfer fees of more than GBP 20million. His career is littered with prizes and controversy, from refusing to play for England and his disastrous season at Chelsea, to making history with Celtic and Blackburn. In his candid autobiography, "Paradise and Beyond", he lifts the lid on it all - the family torment, the gambling debts, the incident that led to him being arrested the night before his GBP 5million record transfer fee from Norwich to Blackburn and much more. He gives his honest assessment of managers he played under such as Glenn Hoddle, Kenny Dalglish, Martin O'Neill and Luca Vialli. Sutton also opens his heart on the truth behind his controversial departure from Celtic and how he holds Gordon Strachan responsible. This book is not to be missed.

Craig Brown was the first Scotland manager to take his side to the European Championship and World Cup Finals in succession. He began his career as a professional footballer and was a member of Dundee's championship winning side in 1962, the only time the club has ever won the title. However, a knee injury brought a promising career to a premature end, and it was to be as a manager that Craig's talents really shone through. In this autobiography, he talks about the thrills and spills of this relentlessly demanding job and takes us behind the scenes, into the dressing room with its tensions, decisions and celebrations.