Scottish Gossip: Reaction to Scotland loss to Germany

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Following Scotland's 3-2 Hampden defeat by Germany and the Republic of Ireland's win over Georgia in Group D, the minimum Gordon Strachan's side need to snatch third place is a draw against Poland and a win over Gibraltar, as long as the Irish do not beat Germany or Poland. (Various)

Strachan says his team were "a fraction away from having the perfect performance" against the world champions. (Various)

James McArthur, scorer of Scotland's second equaliser against Germany, says he was "tired and gutted" after the defeat left Scotland four points behind third-place Republic of Ireland. (Sun)

Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall is confident of a "big result" against Poland at Hampden next month, saying scoring two goals against the world champions gives the team confidence. (Daily Record)

Midfielder Shaun Maloney thinks the Republic of Ireland are capable of beating Germany in Dublin but says all he and his Scotland team-mates can do is concentrate on their game against Poland. (Various)

Germany manager Joachim Low was unruffled by the atmosphere at Hampden on Monday night

Germany manager Joachim Low says he was "never worried" that his team might lose and said of the atmosphere that "it's a David-versus-Goliath situation. It is going to be emotional". (Sun)

Right-back Alan Hutton earned his 46th cap for Scotland against Germany but has yet to score - only Alex McLeish (77 caps), Danny McGrain (62), Maurice Malpas (55), George Young (54) and Bobby Evans (48) have won more caps as outfield players but failed to find the net. (Daily Mail)

Germany defender Jonas Hector says his team will be going all out to beat Ireland next month even though a point is enough for them to guarantee automatic qualification. (Times)

Danny Swanson should find out on Wednesday if he is going to be offered a contract by Hearts. (Sun)

Aberdeen goalie Scott Brown believes 22-year-old Welsh keeper Danny Ward, on loan at Pittodrie from Liverpool, can become a future star at Anfield. (Daily Express)

The death of Ralph Milne at 54 follows other Dundee United stars of the 1980s who have passed away in recent years, namely Ian Redford and Frank Kopel. (Scotsman)

Danny Ward has been praised by Scott Brown, although the latter has lost his place in the Aberdeen goals to the on-loan Liverpool keeper

Tottenham Hotspur legend Gary Mabbutt, now an ambassador for the north London club, believes Nathan Oduwa can prosper on loan under Rangers manager Mark Warburton, after Spurs' Alex Pritchard developed in a loan spell under Warburton at Brentford last season. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Scotland stand-off Finn Russell believes the performances in the four warm-up matches for the Rugby World Cup - against Ireland, Italy twice and France - show that the team has come on since the Six Nations whitewash. (Scotsman)

Mark Bennett thinks fellow Glasgow Warriors and Scotland centre Alex Dunbar will come back "a stronger person" for the injury troubles that have caused him to miss the World Cup. (Daily Express, Daily Mail)