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Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Steve Clarke directly addresses Scotland flak as he tells the disgruntled 'I don't need to be loved'
The national team head coach has came under more pressure from some fans in the wake of Friday's dismal defeat to Iceland Steve Clarke insists he is 'not bothered' about calls from disillusioned supporters that his time as Scotland manager is up and is adamant he is a guy who does not need to be loved. The former West Brom boss is facing fresh another inquest from fans in some quarters after watching his team fall to a 3-1 friendly defeat to Iceland on Friday night, with the head coach and his players booed off the pitch at Hampden. That loss has extended the national team's record to just four wins in their last 20 matches in all competitions, with Scotland suffering relegation to Nations League B earlier this year following a two-legged relegation play-off defeat to Greece, who they will face again in World Cup 2026 qualifying later this year. Clarke will need to pick his players up for the trip to face Liechtenstein on Monday night, the Scots' final friendly encounter before they kick off their qualifying campaign with a tough assignment on away soil against Denmark in September. But the 61-year-old - who is under contract with the SFA until after next year's finals in North America - insists he is able to handle the calls for the sack like water off a duck's back. Speaking to BBC Sport Scotland, he said: "(I'll handle it) just the way that I handle everything else. I try to be very measured in my approach and I try to be very measured in my approach to life. "I've done alright. I'm over 60. I'm still involved in the game. "So I must have a fair idea how to deal with the disappointments and also how to deal with the highs as well. "Football, especially club football can be week to week and can be one minute (you are) up and one minute (you are) down. "It's a little bit like that in international football but it's more spread out. You just have to learn to deal with it. "I think my character is quite suited to being the guy who gets all the stick. "Everybody likes to be loved but I don't.... I'm very good at not going on social media and reading the newspapers or whatever. "You get a general feel for what's happening in the world of football that concerns you but no, that doesn't bother me too much."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Scotland vs Iceland: Stream FREE as Serie A heroes and young guns push for minutes in friendly clash
THE domestic season is finally over but there's still plenty of football to be played. All eyes will be back on Hampden as Scotland build up to the World Cup qualifiers in a clash with Iceland. Advertisement 3 Napoli superstar Scott McTominay is back with the national team Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 Steve Clarke's men are preparing for the World Cup qualifiers in September Credit: Kenny Ramsay 3 Albert Gudmundsson, right, is Iceland's top man Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Steve Clarke's men will begin to reach the 2026 showpiece in USA, Canada and Mexico in early September. The two friendly clashes over the course of the next week will be the final preparations for the national team on the pitch before those qualifiers. Before facing Liechtenstein next week, it's Iceland up first. Scotland had found a good run of form, ending a horror run by going four games unbeaten. Advertisement A run of three wins in a row came to a shuddering halt with a 3-0 home defeat to Greece that consigned Clarke's side to Nations League relegation. So these two upcoming matches will give the Scots a chance to build some momentum once again ahead of September. There are several players looking to earn their first cap and look to make an impact ahead of those big games coming up too. SunSport has all you need to know ahead of the big game. Advertisement When does Scotland vs Iceland kick off? Scotland face Iceland TONIGHT, Friday, 6 June The match kicks-off at 7.45pm It's happening at Hampden Park in Glasgow Granit Maqedonci from Sweden will be the referee but VAR will NOT be in operation at the national stadium Can I live stream Scotland vs Iceland? Is it on TV? Scotland vs Iceland will be shown live by the BBC Coverage gets underway on BBC One Scotland from 7.30pm The match can be streamed for FREE via the BBC Sport app, BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC iPlayer via the BBC Sport app, BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC iPlayer Sportsound will have live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland You can also follow every kick right here with SunSport's LIVE match blog Latest team news Many of Scotland's biggest stars are part of the squad at the end of a hectic campaign. Those include captain Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay, who both tasted league title glory in England and Italy respectively. Nobody has, at the time of writing, pulled out of the squad that was named by Steve Clarke. Goalkeeper Angus Gunn is back in the squad and likely to start but Craig Gordon is out. Advertisement Hibs striker Kieron Bowie's excellent form earned him a first Scotland call-up and he'll be one of the uncapped players hoping for a debut. Connor Barron, Andy Irving, Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker will also be eyeing a first international cap. One-time Hibs star Victor Palsson, now of Plymouth Argyle, is part of the Iceland group. Former Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson and ex-Cardiff man Aron Gunnarsson are among the other more familiar names in Arnar Gunnlaugsson's squad. Advertisement Gunnlaugsson, who as only appointed Iceland boss this year, had a brief spell in Scottish football as a player with Dundee United in the 2002-03 season. Iceland's danger man is striker Albert Gudmundsson. The 27-year old has 10 goals 39 caps for his country and spent last season on loan at Fiorentina from Serie A rivals Genoa. Latest odds* Scotland 8/13 Advertisement Draw 13/5 Iceland 15/4 *odds as of 4pm on Tuesday, June 4 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Scotland vs Iceland: Stream FREE as build up to World Cup qualifiers begins with new faces in squad
THE domestic season might be over but there's still football to be played. All eyes will be back on Hampden as Scotland build up to the World Cup qualifiers in a clash with Iceland. Advertisement 4 Steve Clarke's men are preparing for the World Cup qualifiers in September Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 Napoli superstar Scott McTominay is back with the national team Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 Lennon Miller will be hoping to win a first Scotland cap Credit: Kenny Ramsay 4 Albert Gudmundsson, right, is Iceland's top man Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Steve Clarke's men will begin to reach the 2026 showpiece in USA, Canada and Mexico in early September. The two friendly clashes over the course of the next week will be the final preparations for the national team on the pitch before those qualifiers. Before facing Liechtenstein next week, it's Iceland up first. Scotland had found a good run of form, ending a horror run by going four games unbeaten. Advertisement A run of three wins in a row came to a shuddering halt with a 3-0 home defeat to Greece that consigned Clarke's side to Nations League relegation. So these two upcoming matches will give the Scots a chance to build some momentum once again ahead of September. There are several players looking to earn their first cap and look to make an impact ahead of those big games coming up too. SunSport has all you need to know ahead of the big game. Advertisement When does Scotland vs Iceland kick off? Scotland face Iceland this Friday, 6 June The match kicks-off at 7.45pm It's happening at Hampden Park in Glasgow Granit Maqedonci from Sweden will be the referee but VAR will NOT be in operation at the national stadium Can I live stream Scotland vs Iceland? Is it on TV? Scotland vs Iceland will be shown live by the BBC Coverage gets underway on BBC One Scotland from 7.30pm The match can be streamed for FREE via the BBC Sport app, BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC iPlayer via the BBC Sport app, BBC Sport Scotland website and BBC iPlayer Sportsound will have live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland You can also follow every kick right here with SunSport's LIVE match blog Latest team news Many of Scotland's biggest stars are part of the squad at the end of a hectic campaign. Those include captain Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay, who both tasted league title glory in England and Italy respectively. Nobody has, at the time of writing, pulled out of the squad that was named by Steve Clarke. Goalkeeper Angus Gunn is back in the squad and likely to start but Craig Gordon is out. Advertisement Hibs striker Kieron Bowie's excellent form earned him a first Scotland call-up and he'll be one of the uncapped players hoping for a debut. Connor Barron, Andy Irving, Lennon Miller, Josh Doig, Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker will also be eyeing a first international cap. Former Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson and ex-Cardiff man Aron Gunnarsson are among the more familiar names in Arnar Gunnlaugsson's squad. Gunnlaugsson, who as only appointed Iceland boss this year, had a brief spell in Scottish football as a player with Dundee United in the 2002-03 season. Advertisement Iceland's danger man is striker Albert Gudmundsson. The 27-year old has 10 goals 39 caps for his country and spent last season on loan at Fiorentina from Serie A rivals Genoa. Latest odds* Scotland 8/13 Draw 13/5 Advertisement Iceland 15/4 *odds as of 4pm on Tuesday, June 4 Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will Farrell 'go safe' with Lions selections?
[BBC] BBC Sport Scotland rugby reporter Andy Burke has been answering some of your questions as Andy Farrell prepares to name his Lions squad on Thursday. David asked: With all the recent performances in Six Nations and Europe, my prediction is 30 out of 37 of the Lions squad will be Irish or English. Farrell will go safe and what he knows. Do you think I'll be far wide of the mark? Andy answered: I'd like to think the spread of players across the nations will be a little more even than that. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Andy Nicol, Tom English and I made our squad predictions on this week's BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast and I had 13 Irish, 12 English, nine Scots and four Welsh players. That may be a little on the hopeful side (I had 11 Scots in my original draft!) but the beauty of the Lions is it's four countries coming together, not one or two dominating with a smattering of players from the other nations. Scotland have been where Wales are now and it's horrible when you don't see your country well represented in a Lions squad. All that being said, Farrell won't be too concerned if he upsets a few folk with his selections. He'll pick whoever he feels is best placed to get the job done Down Under. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Jamie asked: Given we could have as many as eight Scottish backs picked for the Lions tour, with five realistically with a chance of playing in the opening Test match, how telling is it that Gregor Townsend hasn't made the coaching squad but Johnny Sexton has? Andy answered: Well firstly we don't know if Townsend was offered a role with the Lions. I suspect having toured as part of Warren Gatland's backroom team to South Africa in 2021, Townsend may not have fancied another stint as someone else's assistant. That's just a personal view. I've no idea if he was offered a role or not. It is testament to Townsend's work with the Scotland backs that so many of them are in Lions contention. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement The appointment of Sexton was a real surprise. What does that tell us? That Sexton and Farrell are incredibly tight, view the game the same way and Farrell believes the Ireland legend has something to offer, be it his rugby brain or ability to drive standards. Let's hope Sexton has an appreciation for the abilities of some of those Scottish backs.
Irish Daily Mirror
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Paul McGinley makes Tiger Woods comparison on competitive golf return
Irish golf legend Paul McGinley is set to participate in the Legends Tour in Barbados, but he doesn't have high hopes of competing for a title. After hanging up his clubs on the European Tour, the Ryder Cup hero - who led Team Europe to triumph in 2014 with Rory McIlroy - has become a respected pundit. But now, he's gearing up to swing into action once more at the Legends Tour event in Barbados, hosted by none other than ex-Masters champ Ian Woosnam. However, McGinley doesn't believe that he will be able to challenge for a title, given the time he has taken away from the game, using Tiger Woods' similar playing time as of late as an example. He told BBC Sport Scotland: "I played two tournaments last year, but I still love to play golf. "I just have so many other things going on and that's taking me away from playing," reports Belfast Live. He added: "My expectations are not that high because you just don't turn up and contend. "Tiger Woods, the best that we've ever seen, tried to play nothing but the majors two years ago and even he struggled. We're lucky on the Legends Tour. "Money is being thrown around the top level of golf like confetti. The Saudis have created a false economy, and the players are benefiting." McGinley has been quite vocal about LIV Golf, a rival to the PGA Tour, since its inception. While many have criticised the tour, the Irish star believes there are some aspects of their rules that can be learned from. Specifically, McGinley appreciates how LIV mandates that every player signed to the tour is contractually obligated to participate in each of their events. On the PGA Tour, signature events have been introduced, and stars are expected to skip very few, if any, of these tournaments or risk losing their Player Impact Program (PIP) bonus money. However, this was relaxed from the 2024 season, and McGinley, who served on the DP World Tour's board until 2023, feels that LIV are doing things correctly by obligating their stars to play in every event and tying them down to a contract. He told Sky Sports: "When it comes to big decisions on the boards, the players [on the PGA Tour] may have ultimate control. I think those two dynamics make it really difficult to push the game forward. "It's one of the things that I think LIV have got right." He added: "I'm not saying pay the players less, but pay them differently. "If they're contracted, and you know what you're selling, then it's a whole different conversation from the business of golf if the administration goes out to a sponsor and says, 'We would like you to sponsor for this amount of money, and this is who we will give you in year one, this is who we will give you in year two, etc'."
