Summary

  • Kenny Dalglish: A 1-0 win will do for Scotland

  • Archie Gemmill: Scotland should aim for second spot

  1. Sportsoundpublished at 18:05 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    That is all from us today.

    Tune into BBC Sportsound this evening with the build up to Scotland-Lithuania beginning in earnest. 

    You can listen here from 18:30.

    Radio Sportsound
  2. Fixture amendmentpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    The Scottish Premiership fixture between Kilmarnock and St Johnstone has been moved to Friday 23 December, with a 19:45 kick-off.

    The game was originally penned in for Chrismas Eve, but was moved at the request of the two clubs.

    Kilmarnock v St JohnstoneImage source, SNS
  3. Scotland v Lithuania statisticspublished at 16:47 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    • Scotland are unbeaten in their last five matches against Lithuania (W4 D1) and have conceded just two goals in that time.

    • Lithuania have only beaten Scotland once, a 1-0 home win in a Euro 2004 Qualifier back in April 2003 (D2 L5).

    • Only Spain (8) have scored more goals than Scotland (5) in UEFA World Cup 2018 qualifying.

    • Lithuania have never qualified for a World Cup finals.

    • Scotland’s Robert Snodgrass is the top goalscorer in UEFA World Cup 2018 Qualifying (3) after netting a hat-trick against Malta in their opening match.

    • Lithuania have failed to win any of their previous 11 away matches (D3 L8). They have also failed to score in nine of those 11 matches, netting just once in the other two.

    • Scotland have won their last three World Cup qualifying matches. The last time they won four World Cup qualifiers in a row was in September 2000, under Craig Brown (five in a row in total).

    Scotland captain Darren FletcherImage source, SNS
  4. City too strong for Aberdeenpublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Glasgow City warmed up for this week's Champions League trip to Sweden by thrashing Aberdeen 7-0 to maintain a five-point lead in the Women's SPL., external

    Clare Shine scored a hat-trick with Savannah McCarthy, Keeva Keenan, Erin Cuthbert and Haley Rosen also netting.

    Second-placed Hibernian Ladies, also in Champions League action with Bayern Munich visiting Easter Road on Wednesday, beat Forfar Farmington 5-1.

    Celtic beat Stirling University 4-3 and Rangers overcame Spartans 5-4.

    Read the full story.

    Keeva Keenan heads home City's third against AberdeenImage source, Tommy Hughes
    Image caption,

    Keeva Keenan heads home City's third against Aberdeen

  5. 'Good governance with firm regulations'published at 13:42 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Brian McLauchlin
    BBC Sport Scotland

    Former First Minister Henry McLeish says he would not be in favour of a "strict liability" law being introduced to Scottish football but insists clubs must take more responsibility when it comes to ensuring the behaviour of their supporters.

    McLeish told BBC Scotland he understands why some may feel it would be beneficial to the game but says clubs and the football authorities should be strong enough to govern what happens.

    "I wouldn't (be in favour of strict liability) at this stage," he said.

    "It is a very plausible argument and a very attractive one but what it means is government would be telling the clubs what to do."

    "I think at times the clubs need to be told what to do but on the other hand if we can resolve (problems) by having better ownership of the issues by the clubs then the clubs should respond.

    "That will avoid legislation and in the end avoid problems with fans. It's not rocket science. Good governance with firm regulations. That's all you need, along with severe punishments if people step out of line."

    Former First Minister Henry McLeishImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Former First Minister Henry McLeish was speaking at the launch of the Fife Elite Football Academy at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes

  6. Who needs four or five when one will do?published at 13:33 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    John Barnes
    BBC Scotland at Hampden

    Kenny Dalglish says he will take a 1-0 victory over Lithuania on Saturday to maintain Scotland's challenge for qualification for the 2018 World Cup even if it's the result of a fluke goal.

    Scotland's most capped player is not buying into the claim that, having seen off Malta comfortably in their first group match, Gordon Strachan's' men should do the same to Lithuania.

    Dalglish told BBC Scotland: "If we get a good result on Saturday it sets us on our way. Many people are saying it's a must-win but it's just two games into the qualifying section. 

    "It's important that you win, it's important that you get as many points as possible early doors but I wouldn't say it's that desperate at the moment.

    "At the end of the day, just be patient, if we get a fluke or an own-goal and it gets us through one-nil then fine, we'll have that!"

    Scotland's record goal scorer Kenny DalglishImage source, SNS
  7. Scots should target second spot - Gemmillpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    John Barnes
    BBC Scotland at Hampden

    Archie Gemmill says Scotland should initially target second place in their qualifying group for the World Cup in 2018.

    The Scotland legend believes the focus should be on overcoming the other teams in the group before turning their attention to group favourites England.

    And Gemmill, who scored one of the greatest goals ever seen in a World Cup finals in 1978 against Holland, believes England's change of manager - with Gareth Southgate taking charge following the departure of Sam Allardyce under a cloud of corruption allegations - may not be to their detriment.

    "I think that would possibly make England stronger," said Gemmill. 

    "But I think Scotland should look at it as it being a group minus England.

    "The two games against England are going to be absolutely massive, but if Scotland can concentrate on picking up the points against Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta and take it as winning against that group of teams, then they are going to be in a play-off for the World Cup."

    Archie GammillImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Archie Gemmill was at Hampden to help launch the new-look South Stand

  8. Thommo's predictionspublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Former St Mirren striker Steven Thompson, as you may know, has been sticking his neck out in the Predictor just like he did to get on the end of many a high ball into the box.

    See how he got on guessing the results of the six Premiership results on Friday and Saturday.

    Former St Mirren striker Steven ThompsonImage source, SNS
  9. Rob's Premiership lessonspublished at 12:00 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Rob Maclean has a fine eye for pinpointing the main themes to emerge from the Scottish games every weekend. Today he picks out Rangers manager Mark Warburton's team choice, the blossoming talent of Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton, the class of James McFadden and the powers of recovery of Inverness Caley Thistle.

    Read Rob Maclean's Scottish Premiership analysis.

    Motherwell's James McFadden scores with a free-kick against HeartsImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Motherwell's James McFadden scores with a free-kick against Hearts

  10. To jump for joypublished at 11:33 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    You can only marvel at the athleticism of Hamilton's Alex D'Acol. Captured below is his remarkable leap after scoring for the Accies in their 1-1 draw with Inverness Caley Thistle. It makes you wonder, if D'Acol could take a runner towards the back post at a corner, look at the height he could reach! Few defenders could match that from a standing start.

    Hamilton's Alex D'Acol celebrates having opened the scoringImage source, SNS
  11. And the United view...published at 10:20 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    And this was the response of Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon: "We came here with a lot of injuries and no recognised midfielders. We had to chop and change our system so I was pleased to get a draw.

    "We had lots of players in positions they are not accustomed to. It was hard to get a team balance.

    "In the first half we wasted a lot of counter-attacks. We could have done a lot better but we were great in the second half. We merited the draw, definitely.

    "Lewis Toshney is away for an x-ray because his ankle is up. I am devastated for him. I thought he was outstanding. He now has a really bad injury."

  12. Deal with the expectation, Lennon tells playerspublished at 10:18 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Here's what Hibs head coach Neil Lennon had to say after his team's 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Easter Road on Sunday: "It's been the story of the last few games. We were in total control and then, all of a sudden, we get really slack under no pressure.

    "We had opportunities to go 2-0 up and that would have killed the game as we were so far in the ascendancy.

    "But we let teams back in and it's our own fault. It is also a source of frustration we conceded from a set-play. With the height we have in the team we should be doing a lot better.

    "We want to get out of this division and the players have to deal with the expectation better than they are showing at the minute."

    Match report.

    Hibs head coach Neil LennonImage source, SNS
  13. Goalden Brownpublished at 09:41 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Skipper Scott Brown is enjoying a spell of good form for Celtic. He scored the winner in the Premiership leaders' 1-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday. Liam McLeod provides the commentary (for UK users only).

  14. On the back pagespublished at 09:39 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Tomorrow's fish supper wrappers they may be, but nothing beats a read through the back pages of Scotland's newspapers.

    Our gossip column picks out the main themes...

    • Derby winger Ikechi Anya is a fitness doubt for Scotland's match against Lithuania
    • Bayern Munich sent a scout to watch Celtic's 19-year-old left-back Kieran Tierney play against Manchester City
    • Mixu Paatelainen, Gus MacPherson, Jack Ross and Jamie Fullarton form St Mirren's four-man shortlist for the managerial vacancy
    • Dundee United boss Ray McKinnon is moved to wonder if his midfield is "cursed"

    Get the Scottish gossip.

    Scottish gossip column
  15. High-flying Donspublished at 09:32 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    Aberdeen hit form at the weekend. They put four goals past Kilmarnock with no reply. None too shabby. John Barnes describes the best bits from Rugby Park. (Please note, UK users only)

  16. Good morningpublished at 09:23 British Summer Time 3 October 2016

    I hope this Monday morning finds you in fine fettle and that you're still coasting from a bit of magic from your team at the weekend. Welcome to our live text commentary which will bring a review of the weekend action and supply you with all today's Scottish football news as it happens.