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Former Scotland captain Tom Boyd believes Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths should start in Thursday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland at Hampden.

Gordon Strachan's national side are four points behind Republic of Ireland in Group D with two games left.

"Leigh is the form player of the strikers at this moment in time," Boyd told BBC Radio Scotland.

"He's been patient at Celtic and on the international scene and, when he gets a chance, he takes his opportunity."

England have already qualified for the 2016 European Championship with two games to spare, but the players are not thinking too far ahead, according to Theo Walcott.

"We are not thinking about the Euros yet," he says. "We have some big friendlies coming up against some of the best nations in the world and that will be a test of how good this squad is.

"The amount of energy in the squad is great. We have young legs that can run all day. It is important how we react when we lose the ball and you can see in training even today how hard the boys are at it.

"We want to pull on the England jersey and do it for the fans. Everyone has got a big work-rate and that’s what you want to see."

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England's Theo Walcott has praised Tottenham's 19-year-old midfielder Dele Alli, who could make his international debut on Friday.

"He is very strong and good on the ball and I feel he has a big future for England and Tottenham," says Walcott. "I am there for him if he needs any advice. I came into the spotlight at a young age.

"It’s nice to have some faces he knows because a few have come through now from the Under-21s."

Walcott has also been impressed with Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, and added: "Jamie Vardy’s Premier league form is outstanding but he also has a good work-rate, and Roy Hodgson likes that."

In terms of team news for Scotland's game against Poland in Euro 2016 qualifying, Ikechi Anya and Charlie Mulgrew have been ruled out of the game.

Winger Anya suffered a muscle problem playing for Watford against Bournemouth, while Celtic midfielder Charlie Mulgrew has been struggling with a thigh problem.

James Morrison is suspended for the tie on Thursday.

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Some more quotes from England's Theo Walcott, who has scored six goals in his last eight games for club and country.

He says: "I feel good and when players feel good it's a great opportunity to give them a chance. Everyone knows I want to play up front.

"It’s a young squad. I am only 26 but I feel like one of the old boys.

"This feels like a special group and that shows with eight wins from eight. Hopefully we can get 10 from 10, which no other European country has done. All eyes were on us after the World Cup but we have reacted well and managed to turn things around in a short time as well."

And here, as promised, are some of Theo Walcott's quotes. He may get to start up front for England against Estonia on Friday with captain Wayne Rooney an injury doubt.

"I’d love to maintain my Arsenal form for England," said Walcott. "Things are going great, I’m looking after myself and looking forward to the next two games."

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On Rooney, he added: "Wayne is the only person who can tell you whether he’d play. We’ll know tomorrow if he can train but if he is not 100% the manager will make a decision.

"It’s always great to see him. He is the England captain and he will want to play."

Arsenal and England forward Theo Walcott now faces the media. Stay tuned for his quotes.

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has been speaking in the build-up to his side's crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland on Thursday.

Asked what gave him belief his side could win, he said: "Always the players, then the fans and together we need to put in a performance. Where that takes us we don't know.

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"We have to get the performance right and then we have to up a bit in terms of technical ability in the final third."

On having to stop in-form Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, Strachan added: "Most of our work is being done on group defending and group attacking. Hopefully, group defending will nullify them.

"We understand there are good players in the Poland side."

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Arsenal's win over Manchester United had many believing Arsene Wenger's side might be realistic title contenders this season and Gunners midfielder Mesut Ozil is also hopeful. 

"We have a great team with many world-class players," said Ozil. 

"Our goal is to win the Premier League and I think that this season it's possible to do it, if we all stay healthy. 

"But the season is long."

Scotland defender Grant Hanley will face in-form Poland striker Robert Lewandowski in the Euro 2016 qualifier between the two countries on Thursday.

But, if Scotland centre-back is planning any rough stuff, Lewandowski has a message for Hanley.

"He'll get a fast yellow card if he introduces himself like that and then we will play directly towards him," said the Bayern Munich striker.

"For sure I won't hold back while tackling. You have to resist when someone's playing tough. It's normal. You can switch yourself and play like the opposition."

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has just sat down for his news conference. We will have his quotes soon.

15 years ago. Blimey, how time flies...

Here's a bit of a revelation. Hours after Danny Cipriani was told he was not going to make England's squad for the World Cup, the fly-half had a row with England coach Mike Catt.

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England insist that a report suggesting a "mutiny" had almost been caused is untrue and deny head coach Stuart Lancaster instructed his players not to leak details of the row. 

A Rugby Football Union spokesman said: "Danny and Mike were involved in a robust conversation on the training pitch following a misunderstanding around a training drill instruction. 

"Both shook hands afterwards and the incident played no bearing on selection."

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That was years ago. Surely they're on better terms now? Possibly.

Manchester United forward Memphis Depay moved to the club in the summer from PSV Eindhoven and says he is still adjusting to the physical demands of the Premier League.

Depay has scored just once in eight league appearances but has three goals in four Champions League outings.

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"There are a lot of games in Manchester. There are very few rest days and on training days you are mainly concerned with recovering," the 21-year-old Dutchman told De Telegraaf.

"It's heavy, two games a week, always at a high level, and my body has to get used to that."

He added: "I try to manage my career in steps, and I am still in the middle. I think this was the right step and I am happy in Manchester I'm still developing."

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Former Commonwealth champion Tony Bellew has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 live about his role in the new Rocky film, Creed. 

He plays the world champion who fights the title character, and is still overawed by the role.

“It sounds absolutely insane that I’m part of the Rocky franchise,” he says.

Listen to the clip here.

Dean Smith is England professional football's fourth longest-serving manager, having been in office at the Banks's Stadium since January 2011 - beaten only by Arsenal's Arsene Wenger (19 years), Exeter City's Paul Tisdale (June 2006) and MK Dons' Karl Robinson (May 2010).