SOME of Scotland s most well known authors are to pay tribute to the life of Alasdair Gray. The first ever Gray Day is to take place today celebrating one of the country s most important literary and artistic talents. Today is the 40th anniversary of the publication of Gray s novel Lanark and a special, one-off evening hosted by Neu Reekie at Oran Mor is to take place. Sorcha Dallas, of The Alasdair Gray Archive, said; “Gray Day was born of a desire to foster a continued dialogue with Alasdair through the rich and multi-faceted works he has left behind. Alasdair was an incredible man and we hope this tribute will allow his admirers a chance to reminisce, while bringing his work to many more who have still to discover it.”
Gray died in December 2019 a day after his 85th birthday following a short illness. In his final interview before his death - conducted on the day of the 2019 General Election - Gray was critical of the SNP for not taking a stronger line on independence in Holyrood. He told The National: In the past, I wrote a number of pamphlets supporting the Scottish National Party, and if I were to write a pamphlet now, which I thought of doing, it would be highly critical of the Scottish National Party. I am a big supporter of independence but I rather regret the fact that the party in Holyrood is not taking what strikes me as a properly independent line.”
The work of acclaimed Scots artist and writer Alasdair Gray is to be celebrated in the first ever Gray Day. It is hoped the event will become an annual commemoration of the life and work of one of Scotland’s most important cultural polymaths, Alasdair Gray. The first will take place on Thursday - marking the 40th anniversary of the publication of his seminal novel Lanark. Known faces including Ali Smith, Yann Martel, Denise Mina, Irvine Welsh, Gemma Cairney and Ewen Bremner are set to be involved for the first Gray Day event, featuring a broadcast at 7.30pm.
Alasdair Gray at his desk April 2019 Alasdair Gray, 2019 photo Alan Dimmick
THE focus for Colin Stewart has always been on the next generation. There have been times this season where he has feared for the future. As Director of Operations for the Rangers Youth Development Company, Stewart’s remit is to raise the funds that help keep the wheels turning on the Auchenhowie production line. Every time a player emerges through the ranks, Stewart has had a part to play in the process. Recent months have proven to be the most challenging of his two decades at Ibrox, however. As the world adapted to the ever-changing Covid crisis, Stewart and his staff had to find ways to keep the money coming in and the prizes going out.
Academy Restructure
SPORTING Director Ross Wilson has today announced that a restructure of the Rangers Academy has now been completed.
Ross Wilson began a review of Rangers Football Operations upon appointment, and the first stage has now been completed regarding the professional section of the Rangers Academy.
The Academy will now be organised as the Foundation Phase, Youth Development Phase and Professional Development Phase with the U20 Development Group becoming the Rangers B team with increased input from Steven Gerrard and connectedness to the First Team Coaching Staff.
Rangers will continue to strive with aspiration to create a quality Academy and todays changes are the next step on following initial change 5 years ago. Craig Mulholland, Head of Academy, led a revamp of our Academy over that period and Rangers now see some exciting young talents pushing hard towards the first team.