Ewan Murray

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Ewan Murray

What a phoney war this proved to be. Eighty-four minutes into the Old Firm derby came its first booking, for the Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson. Long before then, it had become apparent Rangers and Celtic would be pretty content to settle for a point each. These sides swung and comprehensively missed at each other for much of the 97 minutes played. This was no clash for the purist. Celtic may be the happier when dust settles.

1 week ago | 90min.com | Ewan Murray |Ewan Ross-Murray

Xabi Alonso is expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager this summer and has already identified his three preferred transfer targets, according to a recent report. After a surprisingly underwhelming season in the Spanish capital, Ancelotti will leave Madrid at the end of the campaign and looks increasingly likely to be replaced by former Los Blancos midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Ewan Murray

When you have spent so long labouring under a burden associated with the reaching of targets, it would seem ridiculous to set more. At Augusta National this month Rory McIlroy didn’t just win the Masters. He didn’t just complete his career Grand Slam. He didn’t just end a wait for a fifth major that had stretched back to his halcyon summer of 2014. McIlroy did all of this at once; his emotion on the 18th green was partly because of the almighty weight that had been prised from his shoulders.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Ewan Murray

Twelve months from now, Brendan Rodgers will either be preparing to bid farewell to Celtic for surely the final time or the manager will be embarking on phase two of this second tenure. Mystery around the more likely scenario means that what happens next to Celtic is far more intriguing than the comfortable retention of their Scottish title. Make that 13 in 14 years. Rodgers will already know his future plan. So, too, will Dermot Desmond.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Ewan Murray

“Please welcome your Players and Masters champion, Rory McIlroy.”Shortly before 8am on the 10th tee at TPC Louisiana. The gallery is less than 100 in number. Still, there is extra pep in the starter’s voice. Those last four words carry such weight, they conjure such images. Masters champion, Rory McIlroy. An introduction he had waited a lifetime to receive. It somehow felt inadequate that it was over in a split second. “Very nice,” said McIlroy later.