FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Gordon Strachan is poised to make a decision on his future as Scotland manager next week, but he has given the strongest indication to date that he will stay on and orchestrate the bid to reach the World Cup finals in Russia in 2018.


(Sunday Herald) 

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has been heartened by the response from those members of the general public he encountered on Friday as he cleared his head on a walk round the golf course at his squad’s base in Renfrewshire – and by the professionalism of the players, some of whom were involved in an “inspirational” training session on Friday.

(Scotland On Sunday) 

Gordon Strachan said “we hope to make the nation happy quite soon” as he considers his future as Scotland manager after failure to reach the Euro 2016 finals.

(Sunday Mail) 

While Scotland under Gordon Strachan are more expansive, more fluid, more engaging and more organisationally adept than they were under his predecessor, Craig Levein, the present boss has only led his side to one more victory – and had the same amount of draws – after 24 international games.



(Scotland On Sunday) 

Former Scottish FA chief executive Gordon Smith says Gordon Strachan should stand down as Scotland manager as he failed to secure a place at Euro 2016 despite more qualification places being available than ever before and because Berti Vogts, George Burley and Craig Levein – three managers who between them received tremendous criticism – all finished higher in their respective campaigns than the present boss.

(Sunday Post) 

Scotland’s failure to reach the Euro 2016 finals means the Scottish FA will miss out on a potential £10m.
(Sunday Mail, print edition)

Scotland captain Scott Brown, now 30, is considering his international future after missing out on yet another major tournament.

(Mail On Sunday) 

Scott Brown is considering his future as Scotland captain on the eve of the 10th anniversary of his first cap, in November 2005, against USA at Hampden as he will turn 33 11 days into the 2018 World Cup.

(Sunday Herald) 

Leigh Griffiths had to pull out of the Scotland squad for Sunday’s game against Gibraltar as the Celtic striker injured himself in shooting practice at half-time during Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Poland.

(Sunday Express, print edition)

Rangers have joined Celtic in considering a bid for 19-year-old Dundee United defender John Souttar. (Sunday Express, print edition)

OTHER GOSSIP

Trainer Erik Morales, the first Mexican to win world titles in four different divisions and who stopped Willie Limond in six rounds in 2011, has vowed to help set up the Scot’s first world title fight at the age of 37.

(Sunday Mail) 

Stuart McWatt, the Inverurie teenager who does not even have a world ranking, won a bronze medal at the European Judo Open at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena, the biggest judo event to take place on British shores this yea.

(Sunday Herald) 

Jamie Murray says he has never felt jealous of brother Andy, despite his younger sibling being more successful as a tennis player.

(Mail On Sunday, print edition)

Scotland’s Alan McManus was involved in the longest frame in professional snooker history as the 44-year-old edged out England’s Barry Pinches 4-3 at the Ruhr Open after playing a frame that lasted 100 minutes and 24 seconds.
(Sunday Mail, print edition)