Thursday Morning Sports Update

Keeping you up to date on soccer, darts, and awards.

SOCCER

Last night's 2-1 defeat to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership has heaped further pressure on new Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy.

It's the Hoops fourth defeat in a row, with the Frenchman still awaiting his first win as boss.

Newcastle are through to the semi-finals of the English League Cup.

Eddie Howe's side needed a stoppage time effort from Lewis Miley to edge past Fulham by two goals to one last night.

Newcastle will face Manchester City in the last four after City's 2-nil win over Brentford.

On the other side of the draw, Chelsea will face the winner of next week's tie between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers both round off their Conference League campaigns tonight, with both sides out of contention for a place in the knockout phase.

Shels have made the trip to Slovenia for a meeting with Albert Riera's Celje (pr: sell-yuh).

And Shamrock Rovers play Hamrun of Malta at Tallaght Stadium.

Both matches kick off at 8 o'clock.

DARTS

Raymond van Barneveld was knocked out of the PDC World Darts Championship at the first hurdle last night.

The five-time world champion lost to Switzerland's Stefan Bellmont by three sets to nil.

James Wade advanced courtesy of his 3-nil win over Ryuesi Azemoto of Japan.

Tonight, Michael van Gerwen makes his entrance when he plays Mitsuhiko Tatsunami, while Fallon Sherrock takes on Dave Chisnall.

The meeting of Mike de Decker and David Munyua of Kenya is among the matches in the afternoon session.

SPORTS PERSONALITY

Rory McIlroy is among the favourites for the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award, which will be presented tonight.

The county Down native completed golf's Grand Slam earlier this year when he won the Masters at Augusta.

Teenage world darts champion Luke Littler and England's Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne are also nominated.

Formula One world champion Lando Norris is also on the shortlist, as are England footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly.