Summary

  • Hodgson and Rooney England news conference

  • Rooney set to win 100th cap against Slovenia

  • Fifa's Eckert 'surprised' by criticism of World Cup report

  1. McCoist's shock after four detainedpublished at 18:14 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Rangers manager Ally McCoist has spoken of his shock after four men were detained by police investigating the Ibrox takeover in May 2011.

    David Whitehouse, Paul Clark and David Grier, who all work for former Rangers administrators Duff and Phelps, are understood to have been detained earlier today, along with lawyer Gary Withey, who was Rangers company secretary after the takeover.

    McCoist said: "Obviously I can't pre-judge what is going to happen. I would have to say I'm shocked.

    "What's happened to us in the last two-and-a-half, three years has been very tough, particularly on the staff and supporters. We just want to continue with our attempts to get the club back to where we feel we belong."

  2. Scotland v Republic of Ireland (19:45 GMT)published at 18:07 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    David MarshallImage source, Getty Images

    Scotland keeper David Marshall has been reminiscing about his time as a Celtic player and how he played under both Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan.

    He also told the BBC: "There's a lot of desperation out there from Scotland fans to qualify and you can completely understand that. We all share it.

    "We've started reasonably well, but we've got to win home games now. There won't be a lot in it."

    The full interview is here.

  3. Compton to Middlesex?published at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Somerset announced earlier today that former England Test batsman Nick Compton had left Taunton by mutual agreement, and we have an update with regards to where he could end up.

    The 31-year-old began his career with Middlesex and BBC London 94.9 understands the Lord's side are favourites to sign him.

    Middlesex need an opener to replace Chris Rogers, who is set to be away on international duty with Australia for much of 2015, but the club have yet to comment on speculation linking Compton with a return to north London.

  4. Hodgson and Rooney press conferencepublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    A heads up for you to stay with us for England boss Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney are due to face the media at 6.30pm to give their thoughts on Saturday's European Championship qualifier against Slovenia.

    So if you were tempted to nip off and make a spag bol for tea, don't - we'll bring you live coverage of the press conference as it happens.

  5. Scotland v Republic of Ireland (19:45 GMT)published at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Aiden McGeadyImage source, Getty Images

    Just under two hours to go now until kick off in the Scotland-Republic of Ireland game and ahead of the big match Ireland international Aiden McGeady has been telling the BBC how he expects to get "loads of stick".

    McGeady was born in Scotland and joke: "I hope there will be a lot of Irish fans in the Scotland end."

    Watch the full interview with the Everton player here.

  6. Question of Sportpublished at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    We set you a little teaser earlier, asking: Wayne Rooney's England debut came in a 3-1 defeat against Australia in 2003, but who were the four goalscorers?

    Tricky one and full marks if you got it right.

    The answers... Francis Jeffers for England, and Brett Emerton, Harry Kewell and Tony Popovic for the Aussies.

  7. Wall of colourpublished at 17:34 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    England RUImage source, @englandrugby

    England will have about 80,000 fans cheering them on against South Africa on Saturday - and they will also see the backing of thousands more when they line up in the Twickenham tunnel.

    Fly-half Owen Farrell admires the artwork, which is a collage of photographs from Red Rose supporters.

    And I'm presuming it is the light in the tunnel which is making his head look red and not some suspect hair dye...

  8. Kramer admits a Real interestpublished at 17:26 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Germany international Christoph Kramer has not ruled out a move to Real Madrid, saying it is a "enormous honour" to be linked with the Spanish club.

    The 23-year-old is in the second of a two-year loan spell at Borussia Monchengladbach and is due to return to parent club Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.

    Leverkusen expect him back but Kramer admits he is attracted by a move abroad.

  9. Beale back in favourpublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Kurtley BealeImage source, Getty Images

    Kurtley Beale will join the Australia squad on Sunday ahead of next week's Test match against Ireland.

    The controversial full-back was found guilty last month of sending a lewd text message to former Wallabies team manager Di Patston.

    He was fined almost #25,000, but found not guilty of sending a second more offensive message.

  10. How to beat the All Blacks ... possiblypublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    "How do you beat the All Blacks? And the first response is probably with difficulty."

    So says former Scotland scrum half Mike Blair ahead of the Scots showdown with world champions New Zealand at Murrayfield on Saturday.

    "If Scotland can play to the very best of their abilities," Blair tells the BBC, "be clinical when opportunities arise and be able to weather the inevitable onslaught of power, precision and skill, then this might not be as one-sided an affair as we have witnessed over the past decade or so."

    The match kicks off at 17.30 GMT and is live on BBC Two, Radio 5 live sports extra, and the BBC Sport website.

  11. Leave skipper alone - Bellpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Alistair Cook and Ian BellImage source, Getty Images

    A spot of cricket for you amongst all this footie, with Ian Bell insisting England skipper Alastair Cook has all the weapons required to succeed in one-day cricket.

    Ahead of next year's World Cup, when Cook will lead the side, Bell also believes criticism directed at his team-mate has been "over the top".

    Cook's one-day place has come under scrutiny following a poor run of form that includes just one half-century in his last eight ODI matches.

    "He can adjust his game for one-day cricket, absolutely, he has proven that already," Bell said. "It is a little bit over the top, all of the criticism. He is the leading run scorer, certainly in terms of scoring hundreds for England, so he can play at this level."

  12. Inter thanks Mazzarripublished at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Inter Milan president Erick Thohir says it was a "difficult decision" to sack Walter Mazzarri as head coach and replace him with Roberto Mancini.

    "It was a difficult decision because he has been continuously supportive of the direction that we have wanted to take the club," says Thohir.

    "He has worked tirelessly and selflessly for Inter, with both belief and passion. I would like to thank him sincerely for his efforts."

  13. Mancini can take us to the top - Interpublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Roberto ManciniImage source, Getty Images

    Inter Milan president Erick Thohir believes the return of Roberto Mancini can catapult the Italian giants back to the top of European football.

    "Our goal is to regain our rightful position as one of the very top clubs in Europe and that's why I am so happy to welcome back Roberto Mancini," he says.

    "His track record both at Inter and elsewhere speaks for itself, and his international experience and hunger for success will I know drive the team to the next level."

  14. Mancini appointed Inter Milan bosspublished at 16:56 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    The Premier League's favourite Italian is back in football management. Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, as expected, is announced as Inter Milan's new head coach for the second time.

    The 49-year-old, who led Inter to three successive Serie A titles between 2006 and 2008, replaces Walter Mazzarri.

    Ex-Napoli boss Mazzarri was shown the door at the San Siro earlier today, with Inter languishing in ninth place in Serie A.

  15. 'We've the worst pitch in the league' - Pressleypublished at 16:45 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Steven PressleyImage source, Getty Images

    It does not sound like Steven Pressley is having the best of weeks.

    After watching his Coventry side get dumped out of the FA Cup by non-league Worcester City last weekend, then threatening to ship his his players out if they don't improve, Pressley has now launched a withering attack on the state of the club's pitch.

    Ahead of his team's League One clash with Notts County, Pressley told the club's website, external: At this moment in time, the Ricoh Arena pitch is probably the worst in the entire Football League.

    "It is so poor. When you're a manager who wants to play the game in a certain way, it makes life difficult."

  16. Boro striker off on loanpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    York City have signed Middlesbrough midfielder Bradley Halliday on a one-month loan deal.

    The 19-year-old, who is yet to make his competitive debut for the Championship side, is Russ Wilcox's fourth signing since taking over last month.

  17. Get involvedpublished at 16:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Mersh:, external The atmosphere will be immense tonight, it's my birthday so hoping for a win. Fancy it as well. 2-1 Scotland.

  18. Scotland v Republic of Ireland (19:45 GMT)published at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Former Republic of Ireland left-back Ian Harte:, external Good luck to the Republic of Ireland tonight. Hope you can get the win against Scotland. Keano and Shane Long to score.

  19. Blades sign Adamspublished at 16:28 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2014

    Sheffield United have signed forward Che Adams from non-league Ilkeston for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.

    The 18-year-old has scored eight goals for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club this season.