Scotland Men's Football Team

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland captain Scott Brown says he is "devastated" by the departure of head coach Steve Clarke.

The 62-year-old chose to resign after failing to progress beyond the World Cup group stage.

Having taken on the job in 2019, Clarke took Scotland to the 2020 and 2024 Euros as well as ending a 28-year wait for a World Cup return.

"I'm devastated, because I think if you look in the history books of Scotland, nobody's made two Euros and a World Cup as a manager, whether they like your style or they don't," Brown told BBC Scotland.

"I feel for Steve because he's done something that the country's never done. We didn't get out of the group stages, we've never been out of the group stages before. We've only won five World Cup games ever. So take everything that Steve's done as unbelievable, and the criticism that he gets, it's not nice for him.

"I did love the Tartan Army in America. It shows you we need to be at tournaments, but you've got to earn the right to get there.

"I never had the opportunity to play at a Euros or a World Cup, so for that group of players it's been an unbelievable achievement."

Former Kenya and Uganda head coach Bobby Williamson said this week that he had lined up Brown, along with Ally McCoist and Kevin Thomson, as his assistants in a bid to be Scotland's new head coach.

"You see my name in the betting lists for everything these days," said Brown, who left the Ayr United manager's post in March.

"I'm all right now. I'm quite enjoying doing the telly, I'm quite enjoying being free at this moment in time."

Sassuolo have joined Bologna in holding talks with relegated Hellas Verona about 23-year-old £10m-rated Scotland striker Kieron Bowie. (Daily Record, external)

Jack Hendry has become the highest-paid Scotland international after the 31-year-old centre-half signed a new two-year contract with Al Ettifaq. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic plan to open talks with Anthony Ralston over a new contract with the 27-year-old Scotland right-back entering the final year of his current deal. (Daily Record, external)

Read Sunday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland defender Jack Hendry has signed a new two-year deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.

The centre-back joined Ettifaq from Belgian side Club Brugge in 2023 and has since made 82 appearances for the club.

"I'm delighted to say that I've signed a new contract," Hendry told club media.

"I'm very much looking forward to spending another two seasons at the football club and hopefully it can be successful."

The 31-year-old, who has earned 41 Scotland caps, began his career in Celtic's youth academy before spells with Partick Thistle, Dundee and a return to Celtic.

He had loan spells in Australia, with Melbourne City, and in Belgium, with KV Oostende and joined the Belgian outfit permanently in 2021.

Image source, SNS

Former Scotland boss Craig Levein thinks Falkirk manager John McGlynn "plays the type of football Scottish people want to see" as the search for Steve Clarke's successor continues.

Despite signing a new four-year deal before the start of this summer's World Cup, the head coach stepped down following Scotland's elimination from the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Levein, who was in charge of Scotland between 2009 and 2012, suggested Falkirk manager McGlynn could be a perfect fit.

"He's without doubt the most meticulous manager I've ever seen," Levein told BBC Sportsound of the 64-year-old who led Falkirk to back-to-back promotions and a top six finish in their first top flight season.

"He goes into great detail. Just look at the evidence.

"John McGlynn plays the type of football that Scottish people would like to see. He also plays with pace and aggression, I'm a huge fan."

Levein knows McGlynn from their time together at Hearts when McGlynn worked with the youth academy.

"He was in the academy when I was at Hearts before he went in to work with Brendan Rodgers [as a scout at Celtic] and he changed his philosophy and the way he played.

"He came out of that period at Celtic playing a different style of football altogether.

"If you want to do the Scotland job you get all the rubbish that comes with it."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Neil Lennon believes the reaction to Scotland's World Cup campaign played a significant part in Steve Clarke deciding to step down as national head coach.

The Dunfermline Athletic head coach described the criticism that followed Scotland's group-stage exit was over the top as expectations were unrealistic given the calibre of opposition Clarke's side faced.

"I thought the aftermath was awful, way too hysterical," Lennon told BBC Scotland.

"Scotland were fortunate to get there, but they deserved that fortune because they've never had much luck over the years.

"You only have to look back over the last 28 years at how unlucky they've been not to qualify for other championships and World Cups.

"They get there and they get the group of death that Scotland always do. They're playing teams ranked five and six in the world. What are people expecting?"

Lennon felt Scotland's performances deserved greater credit, pointing to their display against Morocco and the pressure of securing victory over Haiti.

"The second-half performance against Morocco deserved a penalty," he said. "If you come away with that game with a point, that's an unbelievable result.

"The Brazil game then takes care of itself. They got over the psychological hurdle of beating Haiti. There was a lot of pressure on that game, they had to win it and they did.

"I really don't know what more Steve could do. I'm really disappointed with some pundits and some media people piling on Steve afterwards. I thought it was really poor."

Lennon believes the criticism was one of the key factors behind Clarke's decision to leave the role.

"People are saying now he's the greatest Scottish manager of all time. Whether that's up for debate, I don't know.

"What I do know is he did what it said on the tin. He got Scotland to tournaments. They maybe didn't perform as well as people expected, but for me the World Cup was par for the course.

"They beat Haiti, narrowly lost to Morocco and, maybe, the manner of the defeat to Brazil wasn't great. But sometimes you need that superstar player and Scotland don't have that at the minute."

Hearts are still waiting to hear what out-of-contract Craig Gordon plans to do following his return from the World Cup with Scotland, with head coach Wouter Vrancken saying it is the 43-year-old goalkeeper's decision whether to carry on or retire. (Hearts Standard, external)

Hibernian are continuing their search for a traditional number nine but are not expected to revive interest in Scotland and Charlton Athletic 30-year-old Lyndon Dykes. (Hibs Observer, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Image source, PA Media

San Jose Earthquakes are closing in on a deal to sign Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn after the 30-year-old's release by Nottingham Forest. (Tom Bogert on X, external)

Gunn is in talks with Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes. (Sky Sports, external)

Rangers have approached Bologna about Lewis Ferguson but have been warned by the Serie A club it would take a major bid for them to even consider selling the 26-year-old Scotland midfielder. (Record, external)

Thursday's Scottish gossip

Image source, PA Media

Steve Clarke's contribution as Scotland head coach "has been immense", says midfielder John McGinn.

Clarke stepped down at the weekend after the Scots missed out on the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

Aston Villa's McGinn, 31, scored Scotland's only goal at the finals, the winner in the opening group victory over Haiti.

"What the gaffer has given this group, on and off the pitch, has been immense," McGinn said on X.

"Not only by taking us to major tournaments but by how together we have felt as a squad and as a nation. Representing Scotland means everything to us and to him I'll be forever grateful."

Scotland lost 1-0 to Morocco and then succumbed to a 3-0 loss against Brazil. There was still an outside chance they could progress as one the eight best third-placed sides from the group stage but results ultimately eliminated Clarke's side.

"No one wanted to progress more than us players, and as much as the experiences and memories we'll share will last forever, that doesn't take away from how much this still hurts," McGinn said.

"The excitement and togetherness that this tournament brought to everyone in our country means so much to us all.

"I hope the generation of young Scots who experienced this World Cup grow up believing that seeing Scotland on this stage is the new norm."

Image source, PA

Billy Gilmour has praised Steve Clarke as "more than just a manager" following the Scotland head coach's resignation.

The 62-year-old told his players on Saturday night, at their hotel in Charlotte, he was ending his seven-year stint after it was confirmed the Scots had failed to get out of a World Cup group containing Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.

Clarke had only recently signed a new four-year contract, but felt it was the right time to step away.

Napoli midfielder Gilmour was ruled out of the World Cup because of a knee injury suffered during the warm-up win over Curacao, but still travelled out to Boston to help support the squad.

The 25-year-old posted a picture on Instagram of him being embraced by Clarke on the pitch, with the caption: "More than just a manager to me."

Gilmour added: "Thank you for everything you helped me with, growing as a person and a player during our time together with the national team. Best of luck with all that's to come, Gaffer."

Lewis Ferguson also sent his best to Clarke in an emotional post on social media, alongside a photograph of the midfielder hunched on the pitch with his shirt pulled up over his head.

"Disappointed doesn't cut it. We are sorry we let you down and didn't achieve our goal," the Bologna midfielder wrote.

"The support out here and at home makes me so proud to be Scottish and it's never taken for granted so thank you all. I hope we inspired a new generation to dream again about representing Scotland on the biggest stage, we've proved that these dreams can become reality.

"And finally, special mention to the man who led us there, gaffer. Thank you for making my dream to play for my country become real and I wish you all the best in the future."

Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who did not play in any of the group matches, paid tribute the efforts of the whole Scotland squad and staff.

"This team. The long journeys, the waiting, the breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The travels, the games, the laughs, the songs, the haircuts, the jokes, the support," he wrote on Instagram.

"Getting to experience this with everyone in this photo, and behind it – made this even better. The gaffer, and the staff too. Couldn't have done more for us.

"Just wish we could have done more to progress, for the incredible fans that made it out here, and back home. Thank you."

Bologna and Monaco are interested in Oli McBurnie, but the 30-year-old Scotland-capped forward is keen to stay with Hull City, who are ready to extend his contract beyond its current 2018. (Alan Nixon on Patreon, external)

Former Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Duncan Ferguson says he would be open to speaking to the Scottish FA about replacing Steve Clarke as Scotland head coach. (Press & Journal, external)

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.