Rumour Mill: Scotland-Germany reaction | Scott Allan | Danny Swanson

Strachan says Scotland can still qualify for Euro 2016 despite defeat to Germany at Hampden; ex-Birmingham boss says dumping Scott Allan helped make the midfielder the player he is today and Danny Swanson to find out if he has a future at Hearts
Scotland can be proud of their performance against Germany, while Gordon Strachan hasn't given up hope of reaching Euro 2016. Picture: SNSScotland can be proud of their performance against Germany, while Gordon Strachan hasn't given up hope of reaching Euro 2016. Picture: SNS
Scotland can be proud of their performance against Germany, while Gordon Strachan hasn't given up hope of reaching Euro 2016. Picture: SNS

Scotland ‘can still qualify’ for Euro 2016

GORDON STRACHAN believes Scotland can still find a way to qualify for Euro 2016 despite falling further off the pace in Group D when they lost 3-2 to Germany at Hampden.

With rivals Poland and Republic of Ireland both winning last night, against Gibraltar and Georgia respectively, it leaves Strachan’s squad now unable to finish in the top two and claim automatic qualification for the finals.

Scotland can be proud of their performance against Germany, while Gordon Strachan hasn't given up hope of reaching Euro 2016. Picture: SNSScotland can be proud of their performance against Germany, while Gordon Strachan hasn't given up hope of reaching Euro 2016. Picture: SNS
Scotland can be proud of their performance against Germany, while Gordon Strachan hasn't given up hope of reaching Euro 2016. Picture: SNS
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But Strachan reckons results can go Scotland’s way and the play-offs will provide entry to the finals next year. (The Scotsman)

Scotland a ‘fraction away from the perfect performance’

GORDON Strachan has praised his squad after they twice levelled the score at Hampden before finding no reply to Ilkay Gundogan’s dinked second-half finish. (Various)

Germans will seek Irish win

GERMANY left-back Jonas Hector has insisted Die Mannschaft will go all out for victory against Ireland in Dublin next month - even though a point is enough for the world champions to secure automatic qualification for next year’s finals.

Ireland scored a late, late equaliser in Germany in the first fixture but Germany will be looking for three points in the Irish capital. (The Times)

Dumping Scott Allan helped mould him, claims ex-Brum boss

FORMER Birmingham boss Lee Clark has claimed several heart-to-heart talks with Scott Allan, along with dropping him from the team, helped make the Celtic midfielder the player he is today.

Clark, who took Allan on loan from West Brom two years ago, is delighted that the former Hibs talisman took his advice on board and has knuckled down to become a fine player.

Clark told The Sun: “With Scott, I thought that there was more to come from him. I saw a very talented footballer but certain things happened in games or training, which meant I had to speak to him.

“He had skill and was creative but as Birmingham manager I felt he needed to have more of an impact. The good thing about it is that he has used the experience and made sure that he learned from it.” (The Sun)

English sides ‘will be eyeing Warburton’

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FORMER St Johnstone and Ireland star Alan Kernaghan reckons clubs in England will already have Mark Warburton in their sights after the ex-Brentford manager’s stunning start to the season.

Kernaghan - who worked with Warburton at the Bees - said: “The success Mark’s having is no surprise to me. He has hit the ground running. But that’s happened because of his professionalism.

“What Mark’s doing will obviously not go unnoticed down the road and what he’s achieving at Rangers will also be attracting attention.” (The Sun)

Swanson to learn Hearts fate

FORMER Dundee United and Peterborough midfielder Danny Swanson should find out tomorrow if he’ll be pulling on a maroon jersey for the foreseeable future.

Swanson, released by Coventry during the transfer window, has been training with the Jambos with a view to winning a deal.

And the 28-year-old, who was also a target for St Johnstone, should learn his fate on Wednesday. (Various)

Insall to get run-out in Development League clash

Hibs fans will get their first look at Alan Stubbs’ latest signing when Jamie Insall plays for the Easter Road club’s development side against Partick Thistle at Spartans’ Ainslie Park tonight.

But, while the head coach understands supporters are keen to see the 22-year-old, a prolific scorer in the lower reaches of English football, in action, he cautioned them against expecting too much too soon as he begins his full-time professional football career.

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The head coach said: “Jamie’s been training but I am sure he will be raring to go and looking forward to getting some minutes of playing into him.

“But we have to be conscious of the fact it’s a big, big jump for him, even from the training point of view. He’s had a lot in terms of workload put into him in a short space of time which is good, but we also have to look after him as well.” (Evening News)