91�ȱ�

FOOTBALL GOSSIP

Scotland striker Kenny Miller believes new manager Gordon Strachan can have the same positive impact on the national team's fortunes as Walter Smith did around eight years ago.

And Miller, who is in the squad to face Estonia on Wednesday, insists he will only stop playing international football when he is no longer selected.

Chris Burke is "delighted and a bit surprised" to have returned to the Scotland squad seven years after being part of the Kirin Cup-winning campaign, which featured two goals by the winger.

Islam Feruz missed the Scotland Under-21 squad's flight to the Netherlands after misplacing his passport. The Chelsea forward is expected to join up with the squad at some point on Tuesday.

Nigeria's progress in the Africa Cup of Nations has placed Efe Ambrose's participation in Celtic's Champions League tie with Juventus in doubt.

Darren Jackson is giving up his role as an agent to become first team coach with one of his former clubs, Dundee United.

Former Aberdeen captain Willie Miller insists Craig Brown is the right man to lead the Pittodrie side and has urged the club's board to give the manager a new contract for next season.

Inverness manager Terry Butcher has pleaded with the family of his former England teammate Paul Gascoigne to help the 45-year-old as he battles alcohol problems.

OTHER GOSSIP

Andy Murray suggests tennis players should forego some of their prize money to allow more investment in eradicating doping from the sport.

After scoring a try on his Scotland debut at Twickenham, Sean Maitland believes he can inspire Scott Johnson's side to victory against Italy in their next Six Nations encounter.