Summary

  • Gordon Strachan names Scotland squad for World Cup qualifiers v Lithuania & Slovakia

  • 'Winning makes you feel better and helps with team spirit ' - Strachan

  • Rangers boss faces ban over language

  • Build-up to Celtic v Manchester City in the Champions League (19:45 BST kick-off)

  1. Hibernian pay for Hampden pitch damagepublished at 17:27 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    Hibernian have released a statement on the SFA judicial panel ruling and reveal that they have paid for the damage done to the pitch at Hampden.

    Here is the statement in full:

    "Hibernian FC welcomes the decision of the judicial panel which has dismissed the complaint raised against the club for the reasons set out in the judgement.

    "Receipt of the complaint was the first quantification to the club of the damage to the pitch at Hampden. The club has today paid that sum to the Scottish FA.

    "Leeann Dempster, chief executive of Hibernian, said: “We hope that this now brings an end to the matter and the Scottish FA can concentrate on implementing the recommendations made by the Independent Commissioner, Sheriff Principal Bowen."

  2. No Scottish Cup final disorder chargespublished at 16:25 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    All disciplinary charges against Hibernian and Rangers over the Scottish Cup final crowd trouble have been dismissed, the Scottish Football Association has announced.

    A judicial panel threw out notices of complaint issued to both clubs in the wake of the pitch invasion, on-field violence and damage done to the goalposts and areas of the pitch.

    It all hinges on the lack of "strict liability" in Scottish football.

    In their lengthy notes explaining their reasons for dismissing the SFA's compliance officer's case, the panel say: "We posed the question – what should the club have done or not done to avoid an infringement of Rule 28? We found ourselves unable to answer that question."

    It goes on:

    "Against a background of (i) the rejection of strict liability, (ii) the development of the rule which appears to overlook the alteration in the disciplinary framework, and (iii) the apparent impossibility for a club to head off disciplinary complaints under this rule, we find that the complaint is irrelevant and should be dismissed." 

    The notes, which say their decision does not "prejudice the right of the SFA to seek reparation or restitution" end with:

    "It may be thought odd that there is no apparent disciplinary sanction for this event. But that is a matter for the members to deal with, in clear terms, rather than for the Judicial Panel to innovate by a purposive interpretation of the rules."

  3. Rangers boss faces 'misconduct' banpublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    Rangers manager Mark Warburton is facing a one-match suspension after confronting referee John Beaton on the Pittodrie pitch at the weekend.

    A Scottish FA notice of complaint has been issued, accusing Warburton of misconduct.

    The full charge reads: "Disciplinary Rule 203: In that immediately following the conclusion of the above match you did commit misconduct in that you entered the field of play and repeatedly used offensive, abusing and insulting language towards match officials." 

    Warburton was furious with the decision to award a 90th-minute free-kick from which Aberdeen scored the winning goal on Sunday.

    He has until Monday 3 October to respond to the charge, with a hearing date set for the 13th.

    Mark Warburton (left) has words with referee John Beaton at PittodrieImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Warburton (left) approached referee John Beaton immediately after the final whistle at Pittodrie

  4. European night in Glasgow's east endpublished at 15:56 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    Celtic v Manchester City (19:45)

    Sergio AgueroImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    City striker Sergio Aguero arriving in Glasgow last night for this evening's Celtic v Manchester City match

    Celtic ParkImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Celtic Park has hosted many a famous Champions League group match, how will tonight's go?

  5. Hamilton 'has really performed'published at 14:59 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    Brian McLauchlin
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Meanwhile, Robbie Neilson says goalkeeper Jack Hamilton merits his place in the Scotland squad.

    Hamilton, 22, was handed the number one jersey by head coach Neilson at the start of the season and has retained his place in Gordon Strachan's national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Lithuania and Slovakia.

    "It is always a gamble when you put in a young keeper," explained Neilson. 

    "He was at that level where he could have gone out on loan but I felt he was ready to come into the first team. It's great for all the players who get international football.

    "He has performed really well this season and it gives him a lift. I'm really pleased Jack got back in again."

    Hamilton added: "It did come as a surprise again and it's a real honour.

    "For a young goalkeeper especially, it's a great opportunity to go away and learn from the people in front of you and that's where you want to be in that environment."

    Jack Hamilton and Robbie NeilsonImage source, SNS
  6. 'We'll score goals' - Hearts bosspublished at 14:47 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson has defended his strikers, insisting their "little barren spell" will come to an end.

    Bjorn Johnsen, Robbie Muirhead, Conor Sammon and Tony Watt - who all joined Hearts in the summer - have three goals between them so far this term.

    "We are creating chances but we aren't getting that final finish but that will come," said Neilson.

    "It's not something I'm overly worried about. We've spoken about it and players work on their finishing all the time.

    "We've got good quality here but we've just gone through a little barren spell. If the performances are right we'll score goals."

    Tony Watt and Conor SammonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Watt and Sammon were two of Hearts' summer signings

  7. Celtic Park will not faze City - Collinspublished at 13:45

    Celtic v Manchester City (19:45 BST)

    "What you have at Celtic Park is 50,000 fans, and as you walk out that tunnel they're screaming, they're pushing the team forward, and they give them energy," says former Celtic midfielder and assistant boss John Collins.

    "Every player runs that bit quicker and that bit further.

    "But I don't think it'll affect Manchester City, being world class players used to playing in red hot atmospheres. Usually the big teams rise to the occasion and thrive playing in those environments..." 

    Manchester City in action at Old TraffordImage source, Getty Images

    "Celtic have had good results at home but at this time of year when the pitches are good and the weather's fairly decent it's more difficult. Usually Celtic are better in November and December when there's a bit of rain, wind, and it's a cold night, and the continental teams don't fancy it. But I don't think that's going to be the case tonight."  

  8. Meanwhile...published at 13:25 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    #bbcsportscot

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  9. Players must be playingpublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    Gordon Strachan has urged his young players to seek first team football in order to push for a place in the squad, saying he "can't be bothered" going to watch potential call-ups play in youth games.  

    Read the full story here.

    Oliver BurkeImage source, SNS
  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:34 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    #bbcsportscot

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:25 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    #bbcsportscot

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:09 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    #bbcsportscot

  13. get involved

    Get Involved - Scotland squad reactionpublished at 11:39 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    #bbcsportscot

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    #bbcsportscot

  15. No-one is interested in my view - Strachanpublished at 11:25

    Gordon Strachan refused to be drawn on Sam Allardyce's departure as England manager.

    "I really don’t think anyone is interested in my 15 seconds of answers if I do have an answer."

    Gordon StrachanImage source, SNS
  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:19 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    #bbcsportscot

  17. Scotland fans react to Gordon Strachan's squad announcmentpublished at 11:18 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    BBC Sport Scotland Facebook page

    Quote Message

    Don't understand what Jack Hamilton has done to earn another call up

    George Boyle, via Facebook

    Quote Message

    Chris Martin ahead of Ross McCormack is madness

    Darren Kelly, via Facebook

    Quote Message

    Time for a new Scotland boss, the old brigade let us down last time but he keeps on picking them

    Ronny Hocking, via Facebook

  18. No case for the defence?published at 11:18 British Summer Time 28 September 2016

    BBC Scotland Facebook comments

    Quote Message

    That defence is rancid bar Tierney and Robertson. I'd be tempted to play one of them at right back. Can't be any worse than Hutton.

    Barry McGloan, via Facebook

    Quote Message

    Three left backs in the squad?

    Michael Innes

    Quote Message

    Three left backs? Any need?

    Keith Graham

    Quote Message

    Wallace? How on earth is he in that squad?

    Ben Sutherland

  19. Allardyce's England exit helps Scotland - Craig Brownpublished at 11:15

    Kenny Crawford
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Sam Allardyce's exit as England manager will help Scotland's chances of qualifying from their World Cup group, according to Craig Brown.

    It followed an allegation that 61-year-old Allardyce offered advice on how to "get around" player transfer rules.

    "It is a slight boost to Scotland because a team would like stability and Sam's had one game," said former Scotland manager Brown.

    "Now there's a complete and utter upset south of the Border."

    Former England manager Sam AllardyceImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    Allardyce acknowledged it was a "silly thing to do"

    Allardyce, who succeeded Roy Hodgson after this summer's Euro 2016 finals, had led England to victory in Slovakia - his only match in charge - thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Adam Lallana.

    With Scotland having won 5-1 in Malta, it means that the traditional rivals are only separated by goal difference at the top of European qualifying Group F after the opening fixtures.

    Allardyce leaves after on match 

    Candidates for England job 

    England are laughing stock - Shearer

  20. Champions League 'like a different sport' - John Collinspublished at 11:00

    Celtic v Barcelona (19:45 BST)

    Former Celtic player and assistant manager John Collins says playing in the Champions League is "like a different sport" compared to the Scottish Premiership.

    "The big problem for Celtic is every Saturday week in week out they have 75% possession," Collins told BBC's Radio Five live. 

    "They lose the ball to the opposition and they get it back after maybe three or four seconds. 

    Lionel Messi (left) and Celtic's Patrick RobertsImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Lionel Messi (left) and Patrick Roberts in Barcelona's 7-0 win over Celtic

    "You go into the Champions League and you're up against better players with better technique, quicker minds, and it's harder. It's like a different sport. 

    "Brendan (Rodgers) has talked about being more aggressive and I understand what he means, but it's very difficult being aggressive against good players that move the ball with one or two touches - it's hard to get close to them."