SFA Agree Compensation With Southampton For Burley

George Burley is on the verge of receiving a call-up to the Hampden hotseat after the SFA agreed compensation with his current club, Southampton.

The former Hearts boss is now the SFA's number-one choice for the Scottish national team job, which has been left vacant since Alex McLeish departed to join Premiership strugglers Birmingham City.

Now, if terms can be agreed between the Mount Florida powers-that-be and Burley's representative, then the 51-year-old former international will take the job imminently.

Burley, who also coached Ipswich Town and Derby County, seems to have beaten off competition from Tommy Burns, Graeme Souness and Mark McGhee, all of whom were involved in the SFA's interview process.

Scotland's next match comes against Croatia in March, with Burley set to be in charge long before then.

SPL Round-Up: Celtic Close Gap, Dundee Utd Humble Aberdeen It was a day for the five home sides in the SPL. Despite an average display, Celtic profit

Saturday 19 January 2008 (all times local)
15:00 Celtic 1–0 Kilmarnock
15:00 Dundee Utd 3–0 Aberdeen
15:00 Gretna 2–0 Falkirk
15.00 St Mirren 3-1 Motherwell
12.30 Hearts 1–0 Hibernian
Sunday 20 January 2008
14.00 Inverness CT – Rangers


Celtic 1 – 0 Kilmarnock

The Hoops were dealt an early blow when they were forced into a double substitution after just 18 minutes. Andreas Hinkel’s SPL debut was ended early due to a strain, while big Dutchman Jan Venegoor of Hesselink also came off after a head-clash. Strikers Chris Killen and Derek Riordan were handed rare chances.

Killie goalie Alan Combe wasn’t too concerned about personnel. The veteran was in fine form, including a point-blank denial of a Scott MacDonald effort.

The home side took a little time to regain their early momentum. MacDonald was always a threat in the Killie box. He looked set to hit the opener, but Garry Hay blocked the Aussie’s shot bravely as the half-hour mark approached.

Combe was called into action again with Riordan on the rampage. The fringe player showed great imagination to create space before testing the visiting goalie.

Despite the home side enjoying lions’ share of the possession, Kilmarnock worked every bit as hard to keep the scores level at half-time.

In the second period, Celtic tried to up the tempo. Shunsuke Nakamura’s quality of delivery has been much missed by Gordon Strachan’s men this season. The Japanese was in fine form as he tried time and again to pick out MacDonald.

However, Kilmarnock were beginning to stride forward, sensing that there could be something in this game for them the longer Celtic waited to strike.

It was going to take a moment of genius or a defensive error to beat the impressive Combe this afternoon. Scott Brown (pictured) tried to provide the genius with a fierce drive, but it was stopper Martyn Corrigan who made the latter the reality via an own goal. His attempted clearance was risky and found the back of his own net.

The goal failed to spark the title-contenders, though, and they continued to toil. There would be a nervy finish if Killie could muster a big finish as the

Midfielder Paul Di Giacomo tried to be the hero, but Lee Naylor was on hand to block his effort.

Brown came close to killing off Killie with two minutes remaining, but he fired high after a scintillating run.

With Rangers not in action until tomorrow, Celtic have closed the gap to one point at the SPL summit.

Dundee Utd 3 – 0 Aberdeen

In the battle between the 5th placed Arabs and 4th placed Dons, there wasn’t much goalmouth action in a tight encounter.

However, both sides played some decent football. Steve Lovell is enjoying a starting berth at the moment, but his dithering in the box won’t help him win the new contract he craves.

Gary Kenneth, meanwhile, wasted the home side’s first chance when he fired wide from close range.

It was going to take something out of the ordinary to break this game open. Dons keeper Jamie Langfield would provide it after the break. He kept the ball at his feet too long and the opportunistic Noel Hunt closed him down. Langfield tried to lash the ball away, but the ball struck Hunt and found the net.

Aberdeen would again shoot themselves in the foot less than five minutes later. Lovell atoned for his earlier indecision by winning a penalty for the away side. Barry Nicholson – normally a cool penalty taker – skied the ball into the stand behind the goal.

After breaking on the right, Craig Conway held up the play until skipper Barry Robson arrived from midfield to lash home.

Robson put the game beyond doubt with some marvellous trickery. The set-piece maestro played the ball under the jumping Dons wall to round off the scoring.

United are now back up to 3rd place on goal difference, ahead of Motherwell..

Gretna 2–0 Falkirk

With Hearts winning the lunchtime Edinburgh derby, the pressure was in Gretna to pick up something at home.

After a slow start, ‘Doctor Goals’ Kenny Deuchar prescribed the opener. He treated the ball with his head after a cross by Uruguayan intern Fabien Yantorno. The Borders men were hoping to stay good shape and begin the healing process this afternoon.

Tony Caig continued his good recent form with a fine stop as Carl Finnegan tried to cancel out the opener before halftime.

Before Falkirk could start to work themselves back into the match, Gretna stunned them with a second. Paul Murray got the basement boys off to the perfect second-half start with a close-range volley.

Falkirk went for broke with a four-man attack in the second half. Gretna, though, were up to the task on this occassion. Davie Irons will be delighted to see his side keep their first SPL clean sheet, with the rookies also managing to last the full 90 minutes without collapsing.

St Mirren 3–1 Motherwell

Love Street was treated to a classy early goal. David Van Zanten and Craig Dargo combined to feed Marc Corcoran, who hit the opener with a left-foot strike.

The visitors, though, would show the strong character that has epitomised their fine season. Steven McGarry controlled despite hints of handball and fed the prolific David Clarkson, who hit the instant leveller.

The Buddies would pull ahead again as halftime approached. Ian Maxwell got the better of defender Marc Fitzpatrick in the box to power home a header.

Maxwell 3rd in three games, cutback the most dangerous weapon in football Corcoran.

A wise man once said that the cutback is the most dangerous in football. Marc Corcoran showed why when his found Maxwell, who put Saints on easy street.

Maxwell almost claimed the match ball when his 25-yeard free-kick deflected wide.

This was a very impressive performance from St Mirren – one of their best this term Motherwell slip into 4th place, but after emotional times of late Mark McGhee’s men deserve an off-day.


In the early kick-off, Hearts were beating faster than usual in the big derby match...

Hearts 1 - 0 Hibernian

The early kick-off took the shape of the Edinburgh derby. Both teams needed a reaction after poor recent form has left them in the bottom six.

It was a typically scrappy, passionate affair at Tynecastle. Hearts, though, looked the hungrier and fans’ favourite Andrius Velicka bagged the opener. Skipper Christophe Berra caused havoc in the Hibs box before the Lithuanian hitman nodded past the flailing Yves Ma-Kalambay.

Moroccan striker Abdessalam Benjelloun was the main threat for the away side in the first half, but he couldn’t convert a catalogue of half-chances.

The Hibees were guilty of some poor passing and a lack of quality in the final third as they continued to push for an equaliser after the break.

Thus, Steven Fletcher was brought into the fray after a spell on the sidelines. He did make a positive impact, but an Eggert Johnsson block denied him a comeback goal.

It would be the Jambos who ended the game looking to double their advantage. Right-back Kevin McCann was lucky to see his wayward clearance strike the post and bounce clear.

Hearts stay in 11th place for now, but ended a 10-game winless streak. New Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen, meanwhile, will now understand how fragile confidence is within the Hibs squad at present.

Fan Spokesman Asks If Souness is Right For National Job A spokesman for a Scottish supporters' group has tentatively put Graeme Souness' name forward

As the race for the Hampden hotseat continues, former Rangers and Newcastle coach Graeme Souness has been linked with the job.

Now, Hamish Husband of the 'West of Scotland Tartan Army' has suggested that the front runner could be a fine choice - but only if certain conditions are met.

Husband told the Daily Record, "Souness would do a good job and bring stature and arrogance.

"But I'd like to know if he still has the passion for Scotland and if he applied for the job. I'm not sure if he has been sounded out, which is a subtle difference.

"He is extremely controversial but his passion for Scotland was never in doubt."

Souness, 54, was capped on 54 occasions for Scotland during his playing days, the bulk of which he spent with Liverpool. He has been out of management since leaving St. James' Park in 2006.

SPL Weekend Preview: Round 23 It’s back to league business after the Scottish Cup break last weekend. Celtic cannot afford to fall further behind Ran

Saturday 19 January 2008 (all times local)
12.30 Hearts – Hibernian
15:00 Celtic – Kilmarnock
15:00 Dundee Utd – Aberdeen
15:00 Gretna – Falkirk
15.00 St Mirren - Motherwell
Sunday 20 January 2008
14.00 Inverness CT – Rangers

Hearts - Hibernian

The lunchtime Edinburgh derby kicks of this week’s SPL card, with much to prove for both teams.

Hearts need to start picking up points to climb from 11th place - a shocking position by their standards. New Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen, meanwhile, will take charge for his first SPL game.

Brian Kerr (pictured) fired a debut goal in this fixture on the first day of the season, which also proved to be the winner. Since the inception of a top flight in 1975, neither side has won all four league derbies in a season.

Andrew Driver and goalie Steve Banks should shake off knocks for Hearts, who drew 2-2 in an emotional Scottish Cup tie with Motherwell last week.

Steven Fletcher could return for Hibs ahead of schedule, while new signing John Rankin from St Mirren is in line for a debut. David Murphy, though, has completed a move to Birmingham.


With both teams incredibly in the bottom six, this game is crucial. These rivals could cancel each other out, though, with a draw doing neither side many favours.

Prediction: 1-1

Celtic - Kilmarnock

The former leaders find themselves under pressure for the first time in recent memory. With the Hoops four points behind nemeses Rangers, Jan Venegoor of Hesselink admitted this week that Celtic must start winning ugly.

Andreas Hinkel made a competent debut in the comfortable 3-0 cup win over minnows Stirling last week and should make his SPL debut here. Shunsuke Nakamura also returned for that game, with the Japanese in contention.

Killie haven’t won in their previous nine away matches, but left Celtic Park with a credible 0-0 draw in August.

Contract rebel Colin Nish is reportedly hoping for a move to Hibernian this month, with the Rugby Park side losing faith with his failure to sign a new deal.

Kilmarnock may be rusty after their cup trip to Airdrie United was hit by last week’s freeze. They should keep this one tight, but Celtic have enough quality to edge it.

Prediction: 2-1

Dundee Utd - Aberdeen

This fixture was dubbed the ‘New Firm’ derby in the 1980s when these sides were at their Euro-conquering best. More recently, the term has been used ironically to mock the faded retro glories.

However, the game should be a bit spicier tomorrow, with both sides going well. The teams are tied at 1-1 in the season series. They occupy 5th and 4th place respectively.

Tannadice was a fortress earlier in the season, but the Arabs have lost three of their last six here. Captain Barry Robson was watched by Celtic assistant Tommy Burns in the midweek cup win at Clyde, with his future at United unclear.

Aberdeen’s contract rebels are largely still at the club with the exception of winger Chris Clark, who has left for Plymouth. The Dons are targeting Dundee Utd defender Stuart Duff, but no agreement has been reached as yet.

With Stevie Lovell finally banging them in – three in five – Aberdeen could snatch a late goal in a tight game.

Prediction: 0-1

Gretna - Falkirk

It’s hard to read into the form of the SPL basement boys. They equalised against Rangers in midweek, but were undone by the fitter Glasgow giants. Although, it’s not just the big boys who outlast the plucky upstarts, as First Division Morton pegged them back in the cup last week.

Falkirk have beaten Gretna in the only three matches played between the sides; scoring nine without reply. The cup break came at a bad time for high-flying Falkirk, but a 2-2 draw against Aberdeen will have kept the Bairns on their toes.

Skipper Steven Thomson has left for Brighton, with Darren Barr set to lead out John Hughes’ men.

Although Falkirk are in the unfamiliar role of overwhelming favourites, they continue to defy explanation and should romp home again.

Prediction: 1-4


St Mirren - Motherwell

The home side beat Hibs and minnows Dumbarton in their last two games. The latter was a 3-0 cup win, which will give the beleaguered Buddies a huge morale boost.

Gary Mason is suspended for Saints.

Visitors Motherwell, meanwhile, are coming off a turbulent few weeks. The death of skipper Phil O’Donnell and subsequent complications threatened to derail their stellar half-season. However, a battling 2-2 cup draw at Hearts shows that the 3rd placed side has some character.

The Steelmen will be forced to re-jig their established back four, as Jim Paterson will serve the first of a two game ban. Marc Fitzpatrick is set to deputise.

Like any other form team, Motherwell will suffer a dip soon. It won’t be at Love Street, though.

Prediction: 1-2


Inverness CT - Rangers

Like Danny Glover before him, Caley player-boss Craig Brewster declared, “I’m gettin’ too old for this shirt” this week. He will hang up his boots at the end of the season to concentrate on taking the Highlanders to untold lands of adventure (the top six).

The home side’s incredible turnaround – seven wins from nine after a poor start – was halted by a 3-0 cup humbling at the hands of Hibernian. However, it was Mixu Paatelinen’s first game in charge and therefore the Hibees were bound to react positively.

The visit of Rangers will be a far clearer indication of how far Thistle have progressed since the Gers turned them over here on the opening day of the season.

League leaders Rangers – it’s been a long time since we could say that without joking – have been hitting top form of late. Barry Ferguson smashed a glorious opener in the midweek win over St Mirren, with Stevie Naismith, Chris Burke and Daniel Cousin combining to suddenly transform Rangers into world beaters.

Thus, if they can beat the world they can certainly beat Caley.

Prediction: 1-3