Compact crossword - The Scotsman 02/01/14

Across

7 Gaseous element (4)

8 Australian hooligan (8)

9 Repairs (5)

10 Canadian province (7)

11 Work at steadily (3)

13 Down-to-earth (9)

16 Earmarking (9)

17 Poke one’s nose in (3)

19 Goes for a leisurely walk (7)

21 Recession (5)

23 Intrinsic (8)

24 Rational (4)

DOWN

1 Wake-up call (8)

2 Showing malice (5)

3 Take to the air (3)

4 Surmount (9)

5 Queen of the fairies (7)

6 Flightless bird (4)

11 Widespread (9)

14 Indignation (8)

15 Displaced (7)

18 Meet in opposition (5)

20 Cistern (4)

22 Cunning (3)

Wednesday’s solution

Across: 1 Watford Gap, 7 Ireland, 8 Wales, 10 Nuke, 11 Bacteria, 13 Thwack, 15 France, 17 Ovaltine, 18 Diva, 21 Sigma, 22 England, 23 Lead astray. Down: 1 Wreck, 2 Thaw, 3 Ordeal, 4 Downturn, 5 Aileron, 6 Six Nations, 9 Shake hands, 12 Scotland, 14 Wrangle, 16 Unless, 19 Italy, 20 Agar.