Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United in Derek McInnes’ first game in charge of the Ibrox club, with the Light Blues failing to win on the opening day for the third year in a row

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

What was meant to mark a fresh chapter for Rangers under Derek McInnes, complete with a raft of new arrivals, instead delivered a all-too-familiar feeling of déjà vu for the weary Ibrox faithful.

Having not tasted victory on the opening weekend since 2022, the Rangers supporters travelled north on the A9 desperate to witness a reversal in fortune at long last.

Yet McInnes’ side appeared plagued by the very same problems that undermined Danny Rohl’s squad throughout last season.

Lacking composure in crucial defensive moments and bereft of creativity in attack when faced with United’s backline, reports the Daily Record.

Thelo Aasgaard did build on his promising pre-season displays by equalising after Lachlan Rose had given Jim Goodwin’s side the lead.

McInnes will stress there’s still plenty of time ahead as he attempts to guide Rangers back to the championship-winning glory he savoured as a player.

However, recent evidence suggests that when the Gers fall behind early, they rarely recover the deficit.

The ex-Hearts manager has been active in overhauling his squad with eight fresh signings, though only Ivor Pandur, Ben Godfrey, Cammy Devlin and new captain Lawrence Shankland were selected to begin the season opener.

Goodwin went a step further by fielding five debutants, handing starts to Joshua Rawlins, Michael Forbes, Dylan Tait, Jesse Randall and Rose.

Having already contested four competitive Premier Sports Cup fixtures, it came as little shock to see the home side emerge looking like the more organised outfit. Ryan Naderi – a surprise starter ahead of Youssef Chermiti – went close for Gers with a header.

However, it was United who were applying the pressure and they struck first, seven minutes before the interval.

Josh Rawlins played the ball out wide to Jesse Randall. With Godfrey falling for Zac Sapsford’s dummy and letting the cross go, Rangers found themselves in difficulty.

Rose had little idea about it as the ball deflected off his shins and into the bottom corner, yet he celebrated as though he had meant every bit of it.

McInnes made changes at half-time, bringing on both Chermiti and Dan Neil.

The substitutions helped lift Gers’ tempo, with Aasgaard testing Walton with an impressive long-range effort.

He was thwarted on that occasion but found the net with his next attempt on 56 minutes.

Under pressure from Shankland, Michael Fobes inadvertently headed the ball directly into the Norwegian’s path and, with remarkable composure, he shifted past Rawlins with his right foot before firing home the equaliser with his left.

United could have reclaimed the lead with 10 minutes remaining, but Randall squandered his chance to chip Pandur after being played clean through by Daniel Bennie’s superb pass.

Del back with a whimper

This was the evening McInnes had been anticipating.

It has been 28 years since he was compelled to leave the club he grew up supporting.

His previous visit to Tannadice representing Gers was the night Walter Smith’s side completed their nine-in-a-row achievement. Yet the challenge of reconstructing this Rangers squad could prove even more daunting than the achievement pulled off by his former boss.

McInnes was present on the sidelines after successfully appealing a three-match suspension stemming from his previous role as Hearts manager.

From his vantage point, however, it became apparent that significant work remains if this team is to mount a serious title challenge.

With a month remaining in the transfer window, Rangers urgently need to bolster their attacking options.

Ropey Ryan

The Ibrox support had spent the entire summer eagerly anticipating watching Shankland and Chermiti tear through the Premiership.

However, many of the away fans were left stunned upon reaching Tayside to learn that Naderi would be leading the line instead of the Portuguese striker.

Naderi had shown little during Rangers’ two pre-season friendlies to justify his selection, though McInnes maintained he was being rewarded for his performances on the training ground.

His gamble nearly paid dividends when the £5m signing from Hansa Rostock threatened with a header before the interval.

However, that proved his sole contribution during a woeful opening 45 minutes.

His withdrawal at half-time came as little shock, with Chermiti introduced for the second half.

Rangers’ spine creeks again.

Gers’ vulnerability through the middle was laid bare last season when they crumbled as the Premiership campaign reached its climax. McInnes has prioritised strengthening his squad’s defensive core this summer, despite some supporters wanting him to concentrate on bringing in attacking creativity instead.

However, until those offensive additions arrive, the Rangers backline will remain under sustained pressure.

This became evident throughout the match as they consistently found themselves pushed back whenever United regained possession.

McInnes will undoubtedly be frustrated by the lacklustre defending that allowed Rose’s opening goal, with both Aasgaard and Fernandez showing weakness in challenges during the build-up, while the towering defender was too slow getting back to prevent the cross.

Thelo takes his chance.

Naderi wasn’t alone amongst last season’s squad players given a chance by McInnes on the opening evening.

Yet only Aasgaard can truly say he grasped his moment.

The Norwegian’s belief has evidently grown following his World Cup experience, demonstrated by his spectacular turn and finish that brought Rangers level.

Djedi Gassama ought to have felt encouraged after being selected in the starting XI, but once more the Frenchman’s choices proved questionable and he didn’t emerge after the interval.

Mohamed Diomande was an unexpected starter ahead of former Sunderland captain Dan Neil, though he was frequently overwhelmed by United’s industrious midfielders.

Fair Dinkum, Dundee United.

Zac Sapsford served as Goodwin’s loan Antipodean ace last season. However, he has been joined by fellow countrymen Bennie, Rose and Rawlins, alongside New Zealander Randall this term.

The goal had antipodean origins, with Rawlins, Randall and Sapsford all contributing before Rose bundled the ball across the line.

United arrived aiming to protect a seven-match undefeated home record dating back to last campaign, and it was straightforward to understand why Tannadice has proved such an intimidating venue.

Dundee United boss Goodwin has got this side fighting for everything and they will certainly be no push-overs this term.

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Tottenham almost won it when Rio Kyerematen’s powerful strike crashed against the crossbar, but the decisive moment arrived in stoppage time. Jamie Donley’s effort rebounded off the post and Richarlison was on hand to convert from close range, sealing victory for Spurs in their final match of the Australian tour.

The County Durham-born Countryfile star introduced the new arrival, named Ted, in a touching social media post showing the day his family chose him.

Matt revealed that the puppy had already been living with them for several weeks, although eagle-eared listeners to his pet podcast may have previously spotted a clue.

Alongside footage of the family meeting Ted, the 48-year-old wrote: “This happened a few weeks ago.

“The eagle-eared listeners of my pet podcast heard me say that we have a new pup at home and we’ve got baby gates everywhere.

Matt Baker (Image: PA MEDIA)

“Here’s the day we chose him and the start of something epic.”

Ted’s arrival comes after Matt told followers in May that his dog Bob had died.

The presenter said Bob had actually passed away some time before the announcement, but he had found the loss too painful to discuss publicly.

In an emotional tribute, Matt described Bob as a “brilliant dog” and the “ultimate companion” who had supported him through some of the greatest chapters of his life.

He wrote: “It’s with a very heavy heart that I’m letting you know our wonderful Bob is no longer with us.

“He’s been gone a while, but I haven’t been able to talk about it as I’ve been finding it so incredibly sad.”

Matt said Bob had been alongside him while he and his wife, Nicola, raised their two children and made significant changes to the family farm.

He continued: “Bob was a brilliant dog.

“He was there for me with his gentle soul as the ultimate companion through some of the greatest chapters of my life, from raising our kids to all the changes we made on our family farm.

“It’s broken my heart, but I feel hugely grateful to have had him in our lives, and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for everything he’s taught me and brought to our family.”

Concluding the tribute, Matt said: “I’m sure all you dog lovers will agree the reason we love our dogs so much is that the only time they break our hearts is when they leave us.

“RIP Bob.”

Bob, a Border Collie, died in 2025, although Matt did not feel able to announce the news until May 2026.

He has since spoken about the difficulty of losing an animal which had been present for so many important moments in his life.

Animals and farming have played a major part in Matt’s life since his childhood in the North East.

The former Blue Peter and The One Show presenter was born in Easington, County Durham, and grew up on his family’s farm in the Durham Dales.

His rural upbringing later became central to his television career, particularly through his work on the BBC’s Countryfile and the Channel 4 series Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales.

The latter programme followed Matt as he returned to the Durham farm to help make it safer and more accessible for his parents, Mike and Janice.

Eyewitnesses say the car overturned around 8.30am at the junction of Silver Street and Wells Lane in Barton, North Yorkshire, near the village primary school.

Staff at the nearby Barton Post Office said they heard and saw “blue flashing lights and sirens” as police, ambulances and fire crews arrived.

Damage caused by an overturned car in Barton (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

Damage caused by an overturned car in Barton (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

They added that one of their paper boys had witnessed the incident.

Pictures show police tape blocking off the corner of the playground where the car came to rest, while debris is strewn across the park.

A telephone pole had come down, with engineers working to make it safe at lunchtime.

Meanwhile, park exercise equipment has been uprooted from its foundations.

Damage caused by an overturned car in Barton (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

Damage caused by an overturned car in Barton (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

The car involved has since been removed.

It is believed a man behind the wheel of the car was not seriously injured.

The Northern Echo has contacted the police, ambulance service and fire brigade for confirmation of further details.

Damage caused by an overturned car in Barton (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

Damage caused by an overturned car in Barton (Image: ANDY FUTERS/NORTHERN ECHO)

The roads will be closed overnight across the month

A busy Cambridge road is set to close for month-long works. Works will take place along the A1301 Addenbrooke’s Road in Trumpington, Cambridge, from Saturday (August 1) and are set to last until September 11.

The resurfacing work will take place overnight from 9am until 5am. Signed diversion routes will be put in place.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “When roads are closed, official diversion routes must use the equivalent class of road, or higher, if there is no equivalent.

“Therefore, the signed diversion route will necessarily follow A roads: A1301; A505; A11; A1307; A1134; A1309 and vice versa.”

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The summer window continues to heat up as Arsenal take a huge step towards signing Bruno Guimaraes, while Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham also work to secure statement signings. The Gunners are said to have agreed a deal worth around £80million for the Newcastle captain, with a medical pencilled in for next week. There is also said to be an agreement with Vinicius Junior over personal terms, while Mikel Arteta is said to have identified a surprise defender signing.

For the first time in more than a century, a total solar eclipse is coming to mainland Spain with an even longer encore next summer.

Toss in a crescendoing meteor shower and a six-planet parade on the same day, and the heavens will be overflowing with awe.

Daytime darkness will descend Aug. 12 across the Iberian Peninsula close to sunset — plus slivers of Greenland and Iceland — as the sun, moon and Earth align perfectly in the sky.

Starting near the North Pole before tracking south, totality will last up to two minutes and 18 seconds, an appetizer for an even longer solar show next year — a 6 ½-minute extravaganza that will sweep from Spain to North Africa and the Middle East.

It will take 1 ½ hours for the umbra, or moon’s sun-blocking shadow, to race along the 5,130-mile (8,260-kilometer) course, most of it over an empty Atlantic. Maximum totality will occur off Iceland’s west coast. By the time it reaches a small patch of Portugal and then Spain with its massive crowds, totality will have dwindled to a minute or so. The spectacle will end in the Mediterranean.

Eclipse chasers gear up for the solar spectacle

Hundreds of millions more on the sidelines are in for a treat as well.

A partial eclipse will delight as far away as Alaska and Siberia, enveloping Canada, the northern U.S., and much of Europe and West Africa.

The closer to totality’s course, the more the sun will vanish behind the moon – 94% coverage in Dublin and 83% in Oslo, Norway. Montreal will see an 18% bite out of the sun, tapering to 9% in New York and 2% in Norfolk, Virginia.

Special eclipse glasses are crucial. even if a morsel of sun is showing.

Adding to the cosmic wonder, the day begins with six of our neighboring planets forming an arc in the sky before dawn and end with the Perseid meteor shower peaking after nightfall under the new moon. Streaking meteors could photobomb totality, with some of the brighter planets and stars visible in the background.

Eclipse mapmaker Michael Zeiler is chasing an even more elusive interloper: the northern lights.

For his 13th total solar eclipse, Zeiler will be on a cruise ship in a Greenland fjord, sailing as a guest lecturer. He’ll point a video camera toward the north to capture any aurora forming during totality. A massive outburst from the sun would be the icing on his eclipse cake.

“What gets me excited is viewing rare phenomena,” Zeiler said in an email.

He’s not the only one revved up.

See who’s hosting solar eclipse watch parties and science experiments

The European Space Agency will host a live webcast from Spain’s Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre and a public celebration in Leon. NASA will provide its own coverage, as will the Italian-based Virtual Telescope Project and others.

“For me, it’s not just a scientific moment. It’s not just an incredible alignment of heavenly bodies. It’s also a very human moment,” said ESA’s director of science Carole Mundell. “It’s a real human connection between us with our feet planted on the Earth and the cosmos.”

Two of ESA’s space telescopes will observe the eclipsed sun and its corona, or outer atmosphere. Proba-3, the space agency’s artificial eclipse-making satellite duo, will be in the wrong part of its orbit during totality as seen from Earth, but will try to sneak in some before-and-after shots.

U.S. college research teams are also pitching in, launching more than 60 high-altitude balloons from Spain and Iceland to study Earth’s atmosphere and other changes during the eclipse when the temperature momentarily drops. They launched 10 times as many balloons during the 2024 total solar eclipse that captivated North America.

“A couple of minutes isn’t a lot of time, but it’s still plenty to affect the atmosphere and to make that cold, dark shadow of the moon on Earth,” said Montana State University’s Angela Des Jardins, who leads the NASA-funded balloon project.

Southwest Research Institute’s Amir Caspi also expects a scientific bonanza from his study aboard a NASA high-altitude plane. Four cameras will record the corona in nine wavelengths as the jet chases the eclipse at 460 mph (740 kph), extending totality to nearly three minutes in the air. Caspi anticipates thousands of images gathered from each camera during those precious 180 seconds.

“It’s true the eclipse is short, but it’s still incredibly valuable,” he said.

And there’s more to come

An exceptionally long total solar eclipse is in store for 2027, yielding nearly three times more observation time.

The southern tip of Spain will take center stage on Aug. 2, 2027, with up to six minutes and 23 seconds of totality extending into Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Somalia.

Then on Jan. 26, 2028, a ring-of-fire eclipse will round out Spain’s celestial trifecta — “a lucky coincidence,” according to ESA’s Mundell.

It’s all the more extraordinary considering Spain’s last full solar eclipse — not counting the Canary Islands — occurred two days before the Titanic’s sinking in 1912. Because that rare hybrid eclipse toggled between a ring-of-fire and just a few seconds of totality for Spain, some consider 1905 for the country’s last pull-out-all-the-stops solar eclipse.

The Royal Observatory of Belgium’s Andrei Zhukov can’t get enough of them regardless of their length or origin. His Proba-3 science mission has created more than 60 simulated total solar eclipses over the past two years, with the longest lasting five hours and 38 minutes from two satellites flying in formation.

“We’re looking forward to more eclipses,” Zhukov said, “natural or artificial.”

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Open-air art event of the month: York River Art Market, Dame Judi Dench Walk, York, August 1 & 2, August 8 & 9 and August 15 & 16, 10am to 5.30pm

YORK River Art Market returns for its 11th year from today, bringing more than 30 artists from multiple disciplines each day to the Ouse riverside over three August weekends of free art and design market stalls.

The poster for York River Art Market 2026 at Dame Judi Dench Walk. Illustration: Elliot Harrison (@York360)

Described as York’s answer to the Left Bank in Paris, the event is now run by Caroline Turner, a professional potter and ceramics teacher at Clay Space York, in Walmgate, after founder and director Charlotte Dawson stepped down to focus on her teaching role as award leader for York College’s BA (Hons) 3D creative practice course.

Political drama of the week: Handbagged, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, until August 29

MOIRA Buffini’s 2014 Olivier Award-winning play imagines what happened behind closed palace doors when two of the 20th century’s most powerful women, Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, locked handbags. Meeting once a week for 11 years, one believed there was no such thing as society; the other committed her life to serving it.

Spanning 1979 to 1990, Handbaggedasks if The Queen and the Iron Lady ever found common ground or did their stiff upper lips reign supreme? Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder directs the SJT cast of Pandora Clifford, Liz Garland, Alexandra Mathie, Deven Modha, Simon Darwen and Meriel Scholfield (CORRECT). Box office: 01723 370541 or sjt.uk.com.

Coastal gigs of the week: Scarborough Open Air Theatre presents The Streets, A Grand Don’t Come For Free, today; Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, Sunday, gates 6pm

Mike Skinner of The Streets: Performing A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full at Scarborough Open Air Theatre tonight

FOR the first time, The Streets’ Mike Skinner is performing his landmark 2004 album A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full on tour. One of the most influential British records of the 21st century, the multi-platinum-selling chart topper delivered era-defining singles Dry Your Eyes, Fit But You Know It and Blinded By The Lights while taking a cinematic journey through the love, loss, chaos, heartbreak, hope and raw emotion of everyday life with poetic wit and honesty.

Original Sex Pistols members Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock are joined by vocalist Frank Turner on Sunday to mark “50 years of chaos and celebration” since the punk iconoclasts’ brace of Summer 1976 gigs at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall. The Stranglers and The Undertones are special guests. Box office: scarboroughopenairtheatre.com.

Candlelit concert of the week: Ignite Concerts presents The Music of ABBA, York Minster, tonight, 7.30pm

VOCALIST Maggie Wakeling, from Channel 4’s Your Song and last summer’s Greatest Shows at York Minster, unites with a band and The Ebor Quartet string ensemble to perform the Seventies and Eighties’ hits of ABBA.

Host Alistair Griffin will be inviting the audience to sing along to Dancing Queen, Waterloo, Mamma Mia, The Winner Takes It All et al at this concert by candlelight. Box office: 07966 959427 or https://igniteconcertsyork.com/events/the-music-of-abba-at-york-minster/.

York comedy gigs of the week: Hot Water Comedy Club presents Paul Smith, Happy, York Barbican, today and August 5, 7.30pm

PAUL Smith, resident MC and compere of Liverpool’s Hot Water Comedy Club, is heading to York for two nights in his biggest, boldest tour show, Happy: fearless stand-up at full throttle, brimful of observations, true stories and audience interaction. Pulling tales from real life, Smith finds joy in the chaos, laughter in the everyday and comedy in absolutely everything. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.

New balls please: York Shakespeare Project presents 2026 Summer Sonnets: What The Deuce?, Holy Trinity Churchyard, Goodramgate, York, August 7 to 15, except August 11, 6pm & 7.30pm, plus 4.30pm Saturday shows

SUMMER at the Goodramgate Lawn Tennis Club finds four doubles teams competing for the chance to play in a Wimbledon amateur tournament, whereupon partnerships and rivalries lead to sabotage and break point. Who has the advantage? Who is at fault? Will the score be love?

Expect further tennis puns aplenty as Rosy Rowley directs Stuart Green’s script that asks a new collection of ten characters to play out this new sporting and unsporting situation where each finds a way to share a Shakespeare sonnet. Taking part will be James Robert Ball, Oscar Langford, Helen Clarke, Sarah McKeagney, Stuart Lindsay, Alexa Williams, Jamie McKeller, Alan Sharp, Christine Bramwell and Effie Warboys.

Mash-up of the week: The Crescent presents New York Brass Band & Hyde Family Jam, York Barbican, August 7, 8pm

TWO of York’s biggest, bounciest musical party troupes collide at York Barbican for a co-headline show with a difference. Promoter Joe Coates has decided the four-piece Hyde Family Jam will be on stage first, followed by an eight-piece line up of New York Brass Band, each playing a 40-minute set before rampant folk-rock meets New Orleans brass head on in a collaborative finale of these street urchins’ biggest hits. Box office: yorkbarbican.co.uk.

Wonderful wedding dress exhibition of the week: St Helen’s Church, Sheriff Hutton, near York, August 8 and 9, 11am to 3pm

A wedding dress from the exhibition at St Helen’s Church, Sheriff Hutton

STEP back in time for a spectacular display of wedding dresses from every decade since the 1920s at St Helen’s Church. Stroll through a century of wedding style with elegant “going away” outfits, mother-of-the-bride ensembles and men’s morning suits, as well as shoes, hats, bouquets and treasured keepsakes.

“Last year’s exhibition was a tremendous success,” says Jill Donaldson Hodges. “Visitors were captivated by the changing styles, the intricate design and the delicate fabrics that have shaped wedding fashion for over a century. So why not come along and take a trip down memory lane, or get some ideas for an upcoming event?” Admission is free. The Bluebell Cafe will be open on both days, serving homemade cakes and refreshments.

Musical theatre celebration of the week: York Stage presents brings Raise Your Voice: MTI Broadway Junior Revue, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, August 7, 7.30pm, and August 8, 2pm and 4pm

THIS uplifting showcase by the next generation of performers features iconic songs from Broadway Junior favourites, showcased by a talented young York Stage cast ready to sing out and shine as they take centre stage with confidence, courage and nascent star quality. Cue big numbers, heartfelt moments and personality aplenty. Box office: 01904 501935 or josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.

Serena Dolnics, 32, has been charged with murder after police found the body of her father Gregory, 69, covered in blood with his heart allegedly placed on his stomach

A woman found “covered in blood” has been accused of killing her dad and surgically removing his heart.

Serena Dolnics, 32, was found by police at a house in Valparaiso, around 50 miles from Chicago, by the body of her father and she has now been charged with murder.

Police rushed to the scene following a reported emergency call over concern for the wellbeing of 69-year-old Gregory Dolnics on Sunday evening – with a call handler told by family member that the daughter had been making “odd statements” when they asked to speak with him.

And while the relative was on the phone to 911, the police received text messages from Serena Dolnics’ boyfriend, who was at the home, saying “Serena was covered in blood” – and he believed she had stabbed her father and might kill herself, the affidavit reportedly said.

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Arriving at the property, police found the boyfriend locked outside and peering in through a mirror they could see dried blood and they were unable to contact Gregory Dolnics

Forcing entry, they found the body of Gregory, who had allegedly suffered slash wounds to the head, face, neck and hands, while his heart had been cut out from his body. “Laying on his stomach was what appeared to be his heart,” police wrote in the affidavit, reported by USA Today.

According to an autopsy, all of these injuries had been committed with knives, including incisions made to the ribs to allow the removal of the heart.

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Dolnics, who was found in a bedroom at the property with blood on her feet, was arrested and taken into custody after being treated at hospital due to injuries to her hands.

According to court documents, Dolnics claimed she suffered the cuts to her hands while gardening, although police maintain that these injuries were consistent with a knife slipping through.

She told detectives that she and her father “get along really well” despite having the occasional “small tiff” that they would quickly move past. She also insisted she had not seen Gregory injured.

Dolnics made an initial court appearance on Thursday (July 30), where she wore a blue suicide-prevention smock and reportedly spoke hesitantly via a video chat link.

She has reportedly pleaded not guilty, although she is not yet believed to have arranged an attorney, and when asked in court about this, she said: “I’ll figure it out.” A further hearing has been scheduled for August 11.

Drivers are facing long delays on the M6 southbound following a fire this morning.

Two lanes of traffic have been closed and firefighters are working to tackle a blaze between junctions 28 at Leyland and 27 at Standish.

An image from the scene shows a vehicle with a severely damaged front end following the fire.

Long queues of around 50 minutes have built up on the approach.

Updates will follow in this blog.