Football news in brief

SFA to get £8m after Uefa boosts paymentsTHE SFA was last night handed a major boost after Uefa announced a sharp increase in its cash handouts.

Between 2012 and 2016, each of the 53 European national associations will pick up 8 million from solidarity payments.

That represents a 15 per cent jump in the windfall the continent's football governing body awarded over the previous four-year period.

And that means a 1.2 million financial boost for Scotland's national association, an increase of 300,000 per year.

Celtic to move again for Coventry's Westwood

CELTIC have renewed their interest in Coventry City keeper Kieren Westwood. Neil Lennon attempted to sign the highly-rated player in the summer, but the offer was dismissed by Coventry manager Aidy Boothroyd as being worth "3.50 and a bag of haggis".

Westwood has refused to extend his contract at the Championship outfit and will become a free agent at the end of the season.

Celtic are expected to attempt to secure a pre-contract agreement with the player next month.

AC Milan consolidate lead in Bologna romp

KEVIN Prince Boateng and Robinho scored first-half goals as AC Milan beat Bologna 3-0 yesterday in a convincing performance by the current Serie A leaders.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a third goal after half-time and Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati denied the hosts a consolation when he saved Marco Di Vaio's penalty.

Juventus leap-frogged Lazio into second place, six points behind Milan, after beating the Romans 2-1 last night.

Barca retain lead with high five over Sociedad

BARCELONA remained two points clear at the top of La Liga after crushing Real Sociedad 5-0 at the Nou Camp. David Villa and Andres Iniesta were both on target before a double from Lionel Messi stretched the Catalans' advantage. Bojan also scored late on as Barca turned on the style.

Earlier, Real Madrid kept the pressure on the leaders with a 3-1 victory away to bottom club Real Zaragoza . Mesut Oezil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria scored for Madrid.

Assaidi stuns champions Twente with hat-trick

OUSSAMA Assaidi grabbed a hat-trick to inspire Heerenveen to a 6-2 rout of Dutch champions Twente Enschede yesterday.

PSV Eindhoven, held to a 0-0 draw at Graafschap Doetinchem on Saturday, are top with 38 points from 18 matches, and Twente are second, one point behind, while Groningen are two points off the pace after beating AZ Alkmaar 2-0.

Ajax remain fourth with 35 points following a 1-0 win at Vitesse Arnhem, giving coach Frank de Boer victory in his first league match in charge.