Rumour Mill: Scotland v Croatia | Rangers | Celtic

REACTION continues after Scotland’s stunning win over Croatia, Rangers fans plan to protest the board this weekend, and James Forrest could return to full fitness for Celtic, plus the latest from across the SPFL in Wednesday’s Rumour Mill
Gordon Strachan hailed the hard work of his Scotland side. Picture: Phil WilkinsonGordon Strachan hailed the hard work of his Scotland side. Picture: Phil Wilkinson
Gordon Strachan hailed the hard work of his Scotland side. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

Scotland 2 - 0 Croatia: Strachan hails win as Stimac ‘quits’

• The Scotland squad’s hard work and effort was rewarded in their 2-0 win over Croatia, according to manager Gordon Strachan.

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Strachan said: “It was a nice way to finish the week. The week has been hopefully enjoyable but hard work, so when you put that kind of hard work in it’s always nice to get a performance and a win.” (Scotsman)

• Croatia manager Igor Stimac offered his resignation immediately following his side’s 2-0 defeat. 97% of Croats in one poll called for Stimac to go, although it is unclear whether his offer will be accepted before or after the country’s qualification play-off.

• Scotland could get a seedings boost in their next qualification campaign after last night’s win moved them up to fourth in Group A.

• Croatia will be seeded in the draw for the qualifying play-offs, alongside Portugal, Greece and Sweden. France, Ukraine, Romania and Iceland make up the teams for the two-leg ties.

Rangers fans’ protests to continue

THE head of a Rangers supporters group believes that fans will launch further protests against ongoing boardroom uncertainty during this weekend’s game with Brechin.

Drew Robertson, head of the Rangers Supporters’ Association, said: “The Rangers fans will be making their voices heard but it is because they want this chapter to be closed and for the club they love to start moving onwards and upwards.” (Mail)

Forrest could return for Celtic on Sunday

JAMES Forrest is keen to start his first Scottish Premiership game since the season opener, when Celtic face Hibernian at Easter Road this weekend.

The 22-year-old missed all of Celtic’s games in September after an early-season back problem was compounded by a virus that saw himspend time in hospita.

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The winger returned off the bench against Barcelona and Motherwell earlier this month. (Scotsman)

Scotland 2 - 0 Croatia: Newspaper reaction

• The Scotsman’s Tom English hailed the “excellent” performance as well as the result. English writes: “This was no backs-to-the-wall job, no seat-of-their-pants number. Apart from a few minutes at the beginning and a couple of moments at the end, it was the Scots who set the tempo, who created the chances.”

• The Record’s Craig Swan writes that Scotland’s first competitive win at Hampden in two years was just reward for long-suffering fans.

Swan said: “Scotland were superb… If you’re going to wait two long years for a home win you might as well make it a good one. By God, they did.”

• The Mail’s John Greechan believes Scotland fans can be optimistic after a “clinical” performance: “Against the kind of top-level opposition who need to be beaten if we ever wish to grace a major finals again, Strachan’s men got the job done.”

Get Butcher a new deal, says Foran

INVERNESS Caley Thistle should “go all out” to sign Terry Butcher to a new contract before the manager leaves for another club, according to club captain Richie Foran.

Foran said: “I’m surprised the boss hasn’t been tied up yet after the remarkable job he has done.

“But hopefully, for the club’s sake, it will happen soon because he could well be a wanted man in January.” (Express)

Dunfermline saved

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BRYAN Jackson hailed the actions of Pars United as the Dunfermline fans’ group were finally made majority shareholder in the stricken club.

The administrator ran out of money yesterday, but a deal was struck to put the fans in charge at East End Park.

Jackson, who now turns his attention to the fate of Hearts, said: “I can leave Dunfermline to Pars United knowing they have a lot going for them.” (Record)

IN OTHER NEWS

• Veteran Ross County defender Grant Munro is to leave the club - to work in the oil industry.

• Partick Thistle have launched a competition to give away their old dugout. The manager’s box at Firhill has been replaced this season, and Sunday League teams and community groups can pitch their ideas for the dugout.