Evening Times

Barry's Facing an Op

RANGERS skipper Barry Ferguson could end his season when their Champions League adventure is over. The Ibrox star has been playing with an ankle injury for the entire season and needs surgery to repair it.

Scots Are Slow On the Draw Uefa Delay Over Euro 2008 Dates

SCOTLAND will have to wait another week to learn their Euro 2008 qualifying fate. Uefa's computers were expected to make the random draw at their Swiss HQ in Nyon tomorrow, with the first games scheduled for September.

We've Got to Send Hampden Visitors Home to Think Again International Update International Update Walter Smith's Search for Right Balance in Squad Will Be Tested by Switzerland

AS THE calm before the storm, Scotland's friendly against Switzerland tonight fulfills the criteria. It's the birdsong in advance of the awesome flapping of the wings of the eagles the Scots will confront when the European Championship qualifiers begin in early autumn.

Walter's Backing Garry to Be a Big Hit in Russia Boss Just Hopes His Stars Could Stay at Home

WALTER SMITH reckons Garry O'Connor will be a success in Russia if he completes his move to Lokomotiv Moscow. However, the Scotland boss would prefer to see O'Connor and other young Scottish players, remain in the SPL.

Sfa Set to Rule for Hampden Semis

DESPITE an appeal from Hearts, the SFA are unlikely to switch the all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup semi-final with Hibs to Murrayfield. Hearts have officially asked for the switch from Hampden, but they do not have the backing of their city rivals.

Zurab's Misery in Malta

ZURAB KHIZANISHVILI, Blackburn Rovers' on-loan Rangers defender, was red carded as Scotland's Euro 2008 opponents Georgia were thrashed 5-1 by Moldova's Under-21s in a tournament in Malta. Khizanishvili was sent off for a foul and skipper Malkhaz Asatiani was sent off for spitting at the Moldova bench. Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura set up both goals, the second an injury time equaliser for Hidetoshi Nakata, as Japan drew 2-2 with BosniaHerzegovina in Dortmund.

Beattie in Cis Final Bid

Right or Left . . . Mark Is Just Happy to Be a Celt New Bhoy Thanks Mates Who Helped Him Settle In

MARK WILSON admits he is most at home in a right back berth, but would be delighted to turn out for Celtic on the opposite flank every week. Since moving to Parkhead in January the Scotland Under-21 international has been deployed in an area of the park that has proved particularly troublesome to Gordon Strachan this season.

Neil Eyes Magic 300

NEIL LENNON clocked up his 250th appearance for Celtic against Dunfermline and now the Hoops skipper has set his sights on hitting 300. "Not many people who've played at this club in the last couple of decades can say they've reached that kind of landmark and I'm chuffed to have done it, " said the midfielder.

Boyd Out to Lead Flamenco Men Merry Dance in Spain Kris Confident Early Strike Will Put Villarreal Off Their Rhythm

KRIS BOYD is hoping he can be the man to fire Rangers beyond the last 16 of the Champions League next week. The Ibrox striker is in line to start over in Spain against Villarreal with Dado Prso suspended for the return tie.

Stars Will Be Lining Up to Play for Le Guen Gers Boss Target Will Be a Magnet for Euro Talent

LYON midfielder Patrick Muller believes Paul Le Guen will have star players from across Europe keen to sign for Rangers if he becomes boss at the Ibrox club. Le Guen is top of the wanted list to replace Alex McLeish in the summer and is mulling over his decision after holding talks with Ibrox chairman David Murray.

Senderos Aware of Scottish Style

PHILIPPE SENDEROS knows what to expect when Switzerland take on Scotland tonight. The Arsenal defender has been an avid follower of the SPL since friend and countryman Jose Goncalves joined Hearts from Thun, and reckons this has given him an insight into how the Scots will line up.

Sloppy Thistle Players Drive Me Off My Head Jags Boss Campbell in a Rage As Play-Off Plot Thickens

PARTICK THISTLE boss Dick Campbell today admitted his side have a fight on their hands to secure a Second Division play-off spot after their embarrassing 2-1 defeat to bottom dogs Alloa. The Wasps won only their second home game in over seven months and recorded just their fourth victory of the season at windswept Recreation Park last night.

Malpas Makes His Mark . . . And Puts Ball in the Sfa Court Mo Will Only Take the Under-21 Job On Part-Time Basis

MAURICE MALPAS has the backing of his young Scotland side should the Motherwell assistant boss decide to throw his hat into the ring as a successor to Rainer Bonhof. The 4-0 victory he oversaw against Iceland might help persuade the SFA to look no further.

Diamond Is a Cut Above As Our Kids Melt Icemen Elliot Grabs a Double but Naismith Is Star of Show

ZANDER DIAMOND emerged with his head held high - and decorated with stitches - following the Scotland Under-21s crushing 4-0 victory over Iceland at Firhill. The captain required some nifty needlework and a check at hospital to ensure he did not retain any fragments of the two teeth striker Calum Elliot damaged, when the pair collided midway through the second half.

Let's Drive Swiss Cuckoo Quashie and Miller Sound Tartan Army Bugle Call. . .

NIGEL QUASHIE and Kenny Miller might look like they're having a laugh. But when it comes to tonight's face-off against the Swiss, they'll be deadly serious. Both players have been handed pivotal roles under the Walter Smith era.

Scots Have Chance to End Run Comment

SCOTLAND'S friendly against Switzerland at Hampden tonight provides an opportunity to end a horrible sequence of results in non- competitive matches. Amazingly, it is 10 years since the Scots last won a home 'challenge' match and although statistics do not always paint a fair image of performance, this one does indicate the decline of the national football side.

Rrunning Like Clockwork . . . Switzerland Are Building Their Reputation and Have a Few Gems to Help Them On the Road to Glory, As Matthew Lindsay Discovers

DESPITE the brief, unsuccessful loan spell Stephane Henchoz spent at Parkhead last season, Celtic fans know only too well about the current good health of Swiss football. The Hoops suffered one of the most costly defeats of the Martin O'Neill era at the hands of a club side that typifies all that is good about the game in neutral European nation.

Barry Can Be My Creative Link Insists Wily Walter Scots Boss Won't Hear Talk of Ferguson's Star Being On the Wane, Says Alison Mcconnell

WALTER SMITH has dismissed debate about Rangers and Scotland midfielder Barry Ferguson, insisting that as long as the 28-yearold is fit he will captain his country. Ferguson has been criticised this season for some inept domestic performances and there have been suggestions that overuse has contributed to his lethargy.

My Team Peter Lorimer Scotland and Leeds United Hot Shot Had Star- Studded Career

STILL the youngest debutant to play at Leeds - he was 15 years and 289 days old when he made his first appearance at home to Southampton in 1962 - Lorimer went on to play 676 games for the club, scoring 238 goals. The Dundee-born striker, whose nickname was 'Hot Shot', starred in the European Cup Final, Leeds' 1972 FA Cup triumph and won the championship. He won 21 caps. What's your best moment with the club?