Anthony Gordon breaks Scotland silence, significant Reo Hatate Celtic update, Aberdeen next manager latest - Scottish football news

We talk you through a selection of football stories across Scottish football this Thursday morning:

Gordon’s England ‘tunnel vision’

Anthony Gordon has broken his silence on a potential Scotland call-up, saying it was always his dream to play for England. The Newcastle winger has been in excellent form this season and has been picked by Three Lions coach Gareth Southgate for their upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. There had been speculation that Gordon could turn out for Scotland but the 22-year-old said: “It was never a thought for me. That’s no disrespect to Scotland, that’s all. I’ve been tunnel-visioned on playing for England since I was five or six years old. Nothing could ever shake that off. I could never forgive myself if I hadn’t got to this point. Like I said, it is just a dream I’ve had from so young so nothing else has ever entered my mind at any time.”

Hatate plays in friendly

Anthony Gordon is now firmly an England player.

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate has taken a big step in his recovery from a calf injury after he played 45 minutes of a bounce match against St Mirren on Wednesday. The influential Japanese has been missed for several weeks now and his return to fitness is a timely boost for his manager Brendan Rodgers, with the next Old Firm match against Rangers looming large on Sunday, April 7.

Aberdeen hunt for boss

Aberdeen are making advancements on the appointment of a permanent manager, according to multiple reports. The Dons hierarchy, headed up by chief executive Alan Burrows, have held initial discussions with candidates both in the UK and abroad and will now whittle down the list, with the help of German consultancy firm BPTC. Aberdeen have been without a permanent manager since January after dispensing with Barry Robson, with caretaker boss Neil Warnock only lasting 32 days before he vacated Pittodrie.

Clement has Smith’s steeliness

Former Rangers forward Lee McCulloch says he sees a bit of legendary Ibrox manager Walter Smith in the club’s current boss Philippe Clement. “I’ve only spoken to him a couple of times but he reminds me of Walter a bit,” said McCulloch. “I’m 100 per-cent not comparing the two of them. However, like Walter was, there’s a steeliness to him, he has a presence, a seriousness. If the team’s winning 1-0 or getting beaten 1-0, you couldn’t really tell looking at him on the touchline. He’s a bit emotionless, which I quite like. And I imagine the players really respect him.”

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