Scotland Men's Football Team

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Scotland assistant John Carver was in optimistic mood as he talked to the media in the build-up to Friday's Nations League game with Croatia.

Here are the key points.

• Carver says the return of experienced players like Jack Hendry, John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong is "refreshing" and "encouraging" considering performances have been good without them.

• Che Adams' injury is "a blow" considering the striker came into the last camp full of confidence after making a good start with Torino after his summer transfer.

• Similarly, midfielders Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour were energised by their "fresh start" with Napoli.

• Carver loved to see Cristiano Ronaldo, "one of the world's best footballers... coming off in a huff" after Scotland's draw with Portugal last time out.

• He says Scotland "were close to getting something in Croatia as well" in the 2-1 defeat prior to that.

• Croatia are "a top side" but Scotland will not approach the game with any "fear" as they caused them problems last time.

• Carver thinks Scotland have shown they are narrowing the gap with the top teams and just need to take the next step and record a win.

• Although Scotland are bottom of their group, Carver believes two wins in their final two games would give them the chance to finish second if other results go their way.

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Bologna and Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson, 25, has revealed that being released by Rangers, for whom father Derek and uncle Barry had played, at the age of 14 still hurts and helps motivate him to push for more success. (Record), external

Scotland winger Ben Doak admitted he is "loving" his time on loan to Middlesbrough from Liverpool after the 18-year-old winger provided two assists in the 5-1 thrashing of Luton Town. (Scotsman - subscription), external

Gianfranco Zola backs old club Napoli to win Serie A with Scotland duo Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay in their ranks. (Sun), external

Everton manager Sean Dyche has thrown down the gauntlet to Nathan Patterson to end the injury woes that have plagued the 23-year-old Scotland right-back since leaving Rangers. (Record), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish gossip

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke discusses Lawrence Shankland's inclusion in the latest national squad, despite only scoring once for Hearts so far this season.

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After a scintillating run of form, that included captaining his club in a cup semi-final at just 18 yesterday, some onlookers thought Lennon Miller might have won his maiden Scotland call-up today.

He is certainly on Steve Clarke's radar, but the Scotland head coach explained his decision to allow the teenager "to grow", rather than be called up for the upcoming matches against Croatia and Poland.

"It's good for Lennon, it's good for his club," Clarke said. "He's another young one that everyone wants to hype and push.

"It's important to let young players to grow. Let's just allow Lennon a little bit of space and time to grow."

Clarke spoke similarly about Ben Doak, 18, not all that long ago before calling him up for the Euros squad - which he missed through injury - and the Nations League campaign, in which he has won four caps.

"You want to have as many difficult choices as you can, you want to have as many good players as you can, so the more young players coming through the better it is for everybody in Scotland," Clarke continued.

"It's already been mentioned in one of the reports that came out recently that we don’t produce enough young players, so hopefully we can in the future."

Instead, Miller will remain with the Scotland Under-19s over the international break, as they prepare for three home European Championship qualifiers against Wales, Liechtenstein and France.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Steve Clarke addressed the media after naming his Scotland squad announcement for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia and Poland.

Here's what he had to say:.

• Clarke expressed his glee at recalling players who missed out of the last camp, including "big character" John McGinn.

• He said performances in the previous four Nations League matches have been good, but wants to get more points on the board.

• Clarke referenced Lewis Ferguson's return for Bologna but said in terms of longer term injuries, it’s better for them to get minutes at their club so they are ready to go for the Scotland in March.

• It's a chance to see Cieran Slicker "up close and personal" given he is no longer eligible for under-21s.

• The head coach pointed out "the pathway" from the under-21s to the full squad and highlighted the journey made by Connor Barron, Ben Doak and Tommy Conway.

• Clarke confirmed Che Adams injury - which he sustained at the weekend - will be assessed by his club Torino. He's named four strikers in the squad so no one is on standby.

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Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson made his return from a six-month injury lay-off in Bologna's 1-0 Serie A win over Lecce.

The 25-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament injury in April that ruled him out of Scotland's Euro 2024 squad.

Ferguson came on for the final few minutes of Bologna's win, helping the Italian club see out their first home victory of the season.

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke names his squad on Monday for the final two Nations League games against Croatia and Poland later this month.

Scotland defender Kieran Tierney is nearing a return to fitness at Arsenal. (Record), external

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Tierney, 27, is "looking sharp". (Herald - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Scotland midfielder Stuart Armstong's "pedigree" and "quality" are now shining through after struggling early on at Vancouver Whitecaps.

That's the verdict of Canadian football podcaster Alexander Gangue-Ruzic, who says Armstrong was still in "pre-season mode" when he signed but is now showing his talent.

The former Dundee United and Celtic playmaker joined the MLS side at the start of September after leaving Southampton as a free agent.

The 32-year-old is playing alongside Vancouver fan favourite and fellow Scotland cap, Ryan Gauld, who scored a hat-trick in the wildcard round 5-0 win over Portland Timbers to guarantee a spot in the play-offs.

In their opening play-off game on Monday evening, the Whitecaps lost 2-1 against Los Angeles FC.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Gangue-Ruzic said: "It's unique for Armstrong because he signs in September and here that's the run-in.

"It's booking play-off qualification, one of his first games was playing in a cup final because the Whitecaps had reached the final of the Canadian Championship, and it was clear he wasn't up to speed.

"And that's not his fault. He signs here, he's in pre-season mode.

"I know he'd been training with Brentford, I think he'd mentioned just trying to keep up to speed and he's dropped right into [a squad with] guys who've been playing since February together for months. And it took a while.

"He was struggling, he didn't look fit, he had some injuries.

"But I will say he's really come along lately, his last two games have been fantastic.

"You're starting to see the quality that you were expecting when he was signed, the pedigree that he has.

"And I think that's exciting because there's no doubt he fits perfectly into this team when healthy, when fit, and it took a while for those things to come together."

Scotland left-back Josh Doig is happy learning under former Italy defender Fabio Grosso at Sassuolo and says the country now feels like home. (Sunday Times, print edition)

Scotland midfielders Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour - along with the rest of Napoli's new signings - have been ordered to become fluent in Italian as soon as possible. (Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli via Football Transfers), external

Billy Gilmour had an 88% pass success rate while fellow Scotland midfielder Scott McTominay's header laid on the winner for Gio Di Lorenzo in Napoli's 1-0 win over Lecce on Saturday. (Scottish Sun On Sunday), external

Scotland forward Jacob Brown says it was heartbreaking to suffer an injury that prevented him from trying to help Luton Town avoid relegation and missing Euro 2024 and that he still has a long way to go to recover full fitness. (Sunday Mail, print edition)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Scotland midfielder Ryan Gauld scored a hat-trick in Vancouver Whitecaps' 5-0 win over Portland Timbers. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription), external

Read Friday's Scottish gossip

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Billy Gilmour will have to make a "huge impact" to become a Napoli regular after enduring "quite a difficult" first Serie A start.

That's according to Italian football writer Alasdair MacKenzie, who said Antonio Conte's side "had a tough time" in their narrow win over Empoli on Sunday.

The game was decided by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's second-half penalty, meaning Napoli are top of the table after eight games, but Scotland's Gilmour "struggled to dictate the tempo" in the narrow win.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, MacKenzie said: "It wasn't really Gilmour's fault, but Napoli were away to an Empoli side that have been one of the surprises of the season so far.

"They hadn't conceded a single goal at home all season long and the only goal they did concede in this game was from a penalty.

"So I think Napoli were caught a little bit by surprise, particularly in the first half. Gilmour was struggling to dictate the tempo and run the game in the way he likes to.

"Conte was still pretty positive about him after the game, even though it wasn't a match where he was a standout player.

"But Gilmour is going to have to seize these chances because he is second choice in his position to Stanislav Lobotka, the Slovakian playmaker who's had a really, really good start to the season."

We asked for your views on Scotland's 0-0 draw against Portugal.

Here's what some of you said:

Ricky: They all deserved man of the match, let's take this positive performance into the last two games and get some more points on the board. Well played.

Jim: Another fine fighting display. Arguably Scotland had the better chances to score. Steve Clarke has them all singing from the same hymn sheet and considering how many talented players are out injured, plus young blood coming through, it all looks promising for the future.

Grant: Dogged, smart display against a superior team, but we were tired and ragged at the end. Billy Gilmour invisible second half but others dug deep, but we are miles off it at that level.

Euan: I'm pretty pleased with this international window. The key thing for this Nations League campaign was to develop an alternative style of play against top opposition. We were too reliant on a back three and dented when we don't have the Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson overlap. Each game we have played with the four has represented progression in my eyes and that's what we want. Clarke and the team have a plan and it's working. We will be far more adaptable in the future as a result. Context is key and we will be stronger for it come World Cup qualification, I'm confident.

Grant: Dreadful as usual, best player was Craig Gordon. We kept giving the ball away, we would start from the back then give it away and couldn't string two passes together.

Ali: Well done Scotland, true gritty performance. The national team is playing on a very high plain of standards now with only about eight players from the Euros qualifying games fit and in the squad, but the new boys showed Scotland's growing squad depth. Well done boys and well done Clarke. You're beginning to show we deserve to be at the top table.

George: Portugal are a class outfit so to get a draw is a good result, especially with our absences from the squad. Unlucky in last two games too, losing both by single goal. Keep up the good work Clarke and the squad.

David Currie
BBC Sport Scotland at Hampden

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon praised the "real team effort" required to secure a 0-0 draw at home to Portugal in the Nations League.

The Scots secured their first point in League A Group 1 with the draw at Hampden, following three opening losses.

"It felt good, everybody was chucking their body in front of things at different stages in the game," said Hearts keeper Gordon, 41.

"A real team effort to get through that and preserve the clean sheet and very happy to be part of it.

"The effort’s been there, the boys are trying to give everything to get that win. It’s going to be so difficult when you are playing the opposition of the calibre we are.

"We are happy with the point, we created a few chances of our own, we could have nicked the game. We managed to get one point. It’s going to take all of that and more to try and get a win."

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