Scottish Gossip: Strachan deal, Germans praise Hampden

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Gordon Strachan, 58, is set to be offered a new deal to extend his stay as Scotland boss. (Daily Express)

Scottish FA president Alan McRae insists the Friday's travel chaos in Tbilisi was not as a result of trying to do the trip on the cheap. The Scotland squad did not return to Glasgow until 7am after their charter flight was delayed. (Sun)

The comments came after criticism from former Scotland stars. Pat Nevin said he witnessed the players eating burger and chips after the game, while Craig Burley branded the Scottish FA "hopeless". (Sun)

Four German players enjoyed a luxury trip back to Munich

Meanwhile the German FA paid for a private jet to take their four Bayern Munich players Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze, Manuel Neeuer and Jerome Boateng to Munich from Frankfurt following an airline strike. (Daily Mail)

Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee says striker Steven Fletcher has to become more "selfish" if he is to start scoring more for the national side. (Scotsman)

Fletcher says his lack of goals is down to poor service, saying "I'd love to score goals but, if I'm not getting a chance, I'm not going to put it away." (Daily Express)

Former goalkeeper Andy Goram is convinced Scotland have blown their chance to qualify. "We will be left at home watching it all on television again." (Sun - subscription required)

Scotland have been given encouragement from Germany and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who has vowed to beat the Irish in Dublin to keep Strachan's men in with a chance of qualifying. "We will keep pushing in the final two games. We won't stop." (Evening Times)

Steven Fletcher says his lack of goals for Scotland is down to a lack of chances created for him

Hummels was also impressed by the Hampden atmosphere. He said: "The Scottish national anthem gave me goosebumps, what an atmosphere. Experiences like playing at Hampden is why I play football." (Sun - print edition)

Another impressed by the Hampden roar was German Football Federation president Wolfgang Niersbach. The favourite to succeed Michel Platini as Uefa president said: "To experience that national pride and patriotism even though Scotland is not an independent nation is really impressive." (Sun - print edition)

However, in an interview with Sky Germany, Niersback took a pot shot at Scotland, saying: "The Scots played with a new 6-3-1 formation, similar to handball. I just spoke with the Scots, they are the ones, with Ireland and Finland, that wanted 24 European Championship spots, but they still wont make it. I asked them if they'll request 32 spots now."

In club football, Ally McCoist is set for talks with Dave King in a bid to resolve his "gardening leave" issue with Rangers. An agreement on compensation has yet to be agreed. (Daily Record)

Islam Feruz wants to be judged on his performances at Hibs after joining on loan from Chelsea, after the 19-year-old's attitude was called into question following previous loan spells in Russia, Greece and at Blackpool. (Daily Record)

OTHER GOSSIP

Andy Murray looked on the bright side following his exit from the US Open, admitting he needs the rest. "It was four hours and 15 minutes," commenting on his match with Kevin Anderson. "I'm not a machine. My body hurts." (Daily Record - print edition)