Evening Times

Barry Ferguson: The Age of Reason Scotland Skipper Barry Ferguson and Manager Walter Smith Have Been Master and Pupil Before but This Time Round Things Will Work Even Better, Says Thomas Jordan

BARRY FERGUSON once thought Walter Smith was holding his career back and was ready to quit Rangers as a result. Now he can't wait to work beside the man who first introduced him to the Ibrox firstteam and help send him on his way to becoming Scotland's top midfield talent.

Skipper Set to Lock Horns with Rino

SCOTLAND captain Barry Ferguson is looking forward to a feisty midfield battle with former Rangers team-mate Rino Gattuso (left) when the Walter Smith era kicks off in Italy next month. Smith's managerial debut at international level could hardly be more difficult as the Scots take on the World Cup qualifying group leaders in Milan on Easter Saturday.

Scotland's Bat Tle of the Sixes. . .There Might Be a Half-Dozen Players Vying for the National Side's Striking Roles, but Steven Thompson Is Thrilled with the Competition for Places in Walter Smith's Plans, Discovers Thomas Jordan

STEVEN THOMPSON has welcomed new Scotland recruits Derek Riordan and Garry O'Connor into the international fold with open arms . . . Even though the Hibs pair will be trying to force their way into Walter Smith's side ahead of him.

Faddy Won't Take High Road Home

JAMES McFADDEN insists he has never been tempted to turn his back on Everton to return north of the border. Scots skipper Barry Ferguson has rejoined Rangers after 18 months at Blackburn while striker Stevie Crawford had a short spell at Plymouth before signing for Dundee United.

Superallyismajestic. . .Hispalmadeusstocious Guest Spot with Tommy Burns

ERRR, I think it would be very, very true to say that is a very, very, very important week for the players and the management team of Scotlandfootballclub because for the first time, it gives us all a chance to gather together and hear some of Coisty's magic patter. But, of course, it's easy to forget that there is more to Coisty than just magic patter - he's a highly competitive competitor.

My Team

JOE JORDAN PORTSMOUTH COACH AND SCOTLAND LEGEND

You're the Man Darren Fletch Will Be Walt's Ace

WALTER SMITH has told Darren Fletcher: I'll build my new Scotland team round you. New Scots boss Smith handed the Old Trafford star the key role during this week's talk-in at Manchester United's training complex.

Celt Shaun Shines As Kids Crash

RAINER BONHOF was left raging last night after his rookies crashed 2-1 to Northern Ireland - and left Scotland's Under-21s without a win in 11 games. The under-pressure coach blasted: "I am really disappointed, because we played well in the first half and had more chances than them.

No Place for Game of Risk Sports Comment

LIKE the bulk of cliches, the football adage that states a footballer is old enough if he is good enough is seriously flawed. And so, the Scotland manager, Walter Smith, will think long and hard before making a decision on whether to use Hibs strikers Derek Riordan and Garry O'Connor in his side to face Italy in a World Cup qualifier next month.

It's Not Clowning Around . . . It's Just a Few Jokes Alan Davidson Believes the Sfa Chiefs Have Misplaced Their Sense of Humour

IRONIC, is it not, that in the week in which the SFA delivered Scotland kit to Ally McCoist they should deem it necessary to slit their eyes, point them in the direction of John Yorkston, and question the Dunfermline chairman's sense of humour? Only rarely throughout its history has the headquarters of the business been able to regard a quip as anything other than a slight to its authority. For all that the introduction of David Taylor as chief executive some five years back was, de facto, an...

Gord Set for Deal

GORDON MARSHALL'S CIS Cup semi-final heroics could land him a new deal at Motherwell. The veteran keeper pulled off a string of superb saves to clinch a final showdown against Rangers at Hampden on Sunday, March 20.

Hartson Backs Mate Bellamy

JOHN HARTSON and Wales boss John Toshack are backing Craig Bellamy to put his nightmare departure from Newcastle behind him tonight when he turns out against Hungary. Bellamy joined Hartson at Celtic on a loan deal after his much- publicised public row with Magpies boss Graeme Souness.

Gordon Marshall Every Picture Tells a Storymotherwell's Veteran Keeper Who Brought Experience to a Young Team After Spells at Both Sides of Old Firm

1 - In the blood WHEN I was a kid growing up in Edinburgh, I would play for my school in the morning and my boys' club in the afternoon.

Vogts in for Scout Job

FAILED Scotland boss Berti Vogts could be set for a job as chief scout for the German FA under boss Jurgen Klinsmann. Dumbarton have signed former Hibs defender Mark Dempsie from St Mirren.

Varga Top of Bobo's Praise List

BOBO BALDE has praised the contribution of Stan Varga to Celtic's success. The Slovakian had to sit on the bench when he first arrived, but has since become a mainstay of Martin O'Neill's defence.

Jamie's Mitch Happier

JAMIE MITCHELL is hoping a fine showing in Partick Thistle's 1-1 closed door draw with Livingston will help him force his way back into Dick Campbell's plans. The midfielder has had his season blighted by a mixture of injury and illness and has been out for a month.

New Signings Will Lead Us to the Double Ibrox Update: Prso Ready to Break Out Silver Polish for Gers

DADO PRSO believes Alex McLeish's new signings are going to pay off big time for Rangers. Indeed, the Croatian hitman is so confident he reckons the Gers can clinch the double of SPL title and CIS Cup.

Gers Win Ticket Fight

MOTHERWELL have been given 15,000 briefs for their CIS Cup Final against Rangers. Rangers will get just over 30,000 tickets, with the remainder for corporate guests and debenture holders.

Boyo David Hails Butch

MOTHERWELL'S David Partridge has paid tribute to boss Terry Butcher after he was called up to the Welsh squad for the first time this week. Partridge said: "Terry has been first class. He is the best manager I've ever had."

Petrov Homing In

STILIAN PETROV will return to lead Bulgaria in tonight's meeting with Serbia and Montenegro in Sofia after missing the December friendly against an Andalucian XI. But the Celtic midfield star's appearance will be tinged with disappointment at the knowledge that he will have to sit out next month's vital World Cup qualifying tie against Sweden.