The Rumour Mill: Tuesday’s football news and gossip

Published on 16/10/2012 10:32

In today’s Rumour Mill: Craig Levein believes it is ‘wrong to chop and change managers’; Darren Fletcher insists Belgium are ‘beatable’; Aberdeen defender ruled out for three months; plus the rest of the day’s football news and gossip.

Levein focused on Belgium

• Craig Levein remained defiant last night amid intensifying speculation over his future as Scotland manager. “I don’t even think about it,” said Levein. “All I can do is concentrate on the games.” (Scotsman)

• Levein defended his position by saying that too much change can do harm to the national team: “You can chop and change managers as many times as you want and say ‘That manager didn’t work and that manager didn’t work and that one didn’t work.’ ... But I keep saying that the teams at the top of the tree are the ones that have actually put a system in place to produce players.” (Sun)

• Levein believes Belgium present compelling evidence of how the long-term strategies he has implemented at the SFA can still reap a rich dividend for the nation further down the line. “People don’t want to hear about jam tomorrow,” he said. “But from my point of view, jam tomorrow is better than no jam at all isn’t it? Twelve years ago, Belgium started out to change everything.” (Scotsman)

• Darren Fletcher has played down the hype surrounding Group A leaders Belgium ahead of tonight’s crucial World Cup qualifier. “To build Belgium up and say they are unbeatable is dangerous because they can definitely be beaten,” the Scotland captain said. (Various)

• Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen is taking nothing for granted against Scotland. The Arsenal star said: “It’s not going to be easy because they have some good players who play in the Premier League. We got a massive three points on Friday and we want three points tomorrow as well.” (Various)

• Belgium could be set to rest £35million Chelsea star Eden Hazard for tonight’s match after he struggled in the 3-0 win in Serbia. (Record)

• Tartan Army spokesman Hamish Husband believes there is a groundswell among Scotland fans for Gordon Strachan to be the next national manager. He said: “Talk of Craig Levein’s future must wait until Wednesday. We all want Scotland to win but I fear for him on Wednesday and the fans feel it’s time for a change. Number one on the message boards is Gordon Strachan, he would make it interesting.” (Express)

• If the bookmakers’ odds are to be believed, Scotland’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup (100-1) and Craig Levein’s hopes of lasting the campaign (1-7 to leave before the end) are next to nil. (Various)

IN BRIEF

• Aberdeen defender Ryan Jack will be out of action for up to three months with a broken foot picked up in Scotland Under-21s’ 2-0 defeat to the United States on Friday. (Various)

• Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell is back in full training after being sidelined since breaking a bone in his hand against Motherwell in August. (Record)

• Rangers pair Andy Little and Darren Cole are on the comeback trail and will take part in a reserve match against Morton at Murray Park tonight. (Sun)

• Dundee United winger Gary Mackay-Steven will step up his training regime this week as he battles back from knee surgery. (Express)

• Bobby Williamson insists he will not quit as manager of Uganda after his side failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. (Various)