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      I’ve covered Man Utd for 25 years and feel sorry for Amorim, if he gets a tune out of this lot he’s football’s Beethoven

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      IT was wonderful to see the adulation and warmth towards Ruben Amorim as he bid farewell in his final home game as Sporting Lisbon manager.And yet despite that stunning 4-1 win over Manchester City, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him.New Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has a lot of work to doAmorim did an amazing job with Sporting LisbonAmorim took over at Man Utd after leaving SportingAmorim replaced Erik ten Hag who couldn’t improve Man UtdAmorim is facing a major challenge with his new Man Utd teamAt Sporting he has achieved incredible success with two Portuguese Primeira Liga crowns — the first of which ended a 19-year title drought.Understandably he is adored by the fans, even when they knew he was leaving and there is a clear bond between him and the players. He looked a man genuinely content and happy with his life in Lisbon.“Don’t do it Ruben, stay where you are” . . . but it was too late.Amorim had already opted to throw himself into the managerial meat grinder known as the modern-day Manchester United.Read More on Man UtdHe only has to look at the disgraceful treatment of his immediate predecessor to know what he is going into.There was something very unsavoury about the way Amorim was being welcomed to United with all those club social media postings.It was as if he had arrived as a great liberator to take the club into the light after a dark time.Erik ten Hag was a good man. One of the best I have met in my 25 years covering the Red Devils.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe did everything he could to drag that club back up, winning two trophies and getting to another final along the way in his two full seasons.Yet it was clear the new broom being swept through Old Trafford by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was going to take the Dutchman along with it.Ruben Amorim arrives in Manchester ahead of starting role as Man United managerEven after that so-called show of faith in him over the summer, after everyone else they tried to get to do the job ran a mile.He was always staring at the exit door at a time when 250 staff have brutally been made redundant, against a back drop of cuts that is gradually ripping away a bit more of the soul of this great club.No matter how good he is the squad is poor, for which Ten Hag has to take a major part of the responsibility. Although he never wanted Joshua Zirkzee, an Ineos signing, and we can see why. If Amorim can get a tune out of this lot, then he will be the Ludwig van Beethoven of football.All the while he will have to cope with everything that comes with being United boss.A club that stopped being able to match expectations the moment Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.Amorim is the sixth permanent boss since then. They all arrive with a smile and believe they can be “the one”.They all leave with their reputations in the dustbin and their lives changed.Ten Hag is still coming to terms with what happened. I’m not sure if David Moyes ever will.Even baby-faced assassin Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked his age by the end.Sometimes, if you find contentment in your life — and a job you love with people around you who love you — that’s when you have really reached the pinnacle.Amorim had that. And in two years’ time my bet is he wishes he never turned his back on it.Littler’s a star I CAN relate toIT’S often difficult to relate to the incredible feats of sportsmen and women.That is what fascinates us the most: How on earth do they do that?Then you learn of the sacrifices they make for years and years for that one moment in time.How they even struggle to let themselves go after all the hard work when they retire. Then you hear about Luke Littler.He has just become darts’ youngest millionaire at 17 and whose mid-match routine was revealed by Martin Lukeman, whom he thumped 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.“He had a curry, a Boost [chocolate bar], a meal deal and them little sweets, half pink and half white . . . Squashies. Then he walks up there and just smashes me like that.” Marvellous.Jimmy is living the dry lifeTHE MODERN snooker player is a world away from those icons we used to enjoy watching in the 80s and early 90s.Gym, water, diet, sleep. The best, Ronnie O’Sullivan, is a great example of this with his running.Which reminded me of how Jimmy White used to enjoy his downtime.At his height White once went to the Gresham Hotel in Dublin for a weekend and returned six weeks later.He had 24 bottles of Dom Perignon champagne sent to his room daily and was reportedly joined by “nightclub girls, UB40 and Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzy” for what was described as “the mother of all benders”.When Alex Higgins rocked up to join in, it’s fair to say things went up a notch.Yet in the weekend just gone, the now clean-living “Whirlwind”, aged 62, beat an opponent 42 years his junior in the qualifiers for the UK Champs — over four decades after reaching the semis on his debut.Sober, fit and healthy White is still competing. He may never have been a world champion, but he remains a champion of the sport.Europe crown not for Nick-ingHATS off, or rather caps and visors, to Rory McIlroy.His brilliant finish to claim the DP World Tour Championship meant he blitzed the field in the Race to Dubai for a sixth time.That equalled Seve Ballesteros’ achievement and leaves him two behind Colin Montgomerie’s record.McIlroy has his sights set on becoming the best European golfer of all time, although some already consider him to be.His four Majors to Ballesteros’ five and Nick Faldo’s six suggest that’s not the case. But for me, the moment that sets Faldo apart came in the 1995 Ryder Cup.It was all down to his match as the Sunday singles came to a close and he stood one down with three to play against Curtis Strange.READ MORE SUN STORIESLevel going down 18, his presence of mind to chip out the rough and leave himself the perfect wedge to get up and down to claim par and win as Strange melted is the greatest moment in Ryder Cup history.Watch it and marvel at the man’s powers to block out all the noise and pressure to get the job done.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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      Ruben Amorim promotes 6ft 5in wonderkid, 16, to Man Utd training as first pictures emerge of new boss getting to work

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      RUBEN AMORIM has promoted a 6ft 5in wonderkid into Manchester United’s first-team training.The new Red Devils manager coached his first training session at the club since replacing Erik ten Hag.Ruben Amorim has taken his first session as Manchester United managerCredit: MANCHESTER UNITEDHe called upon the academy to bolster the numbers due to the international breakCredit: MANCHESTER UNITEDAmorim was keen to get involved with some of the ball drillsCredit: MANCHESTER UNITEDTowering youngster Godwill Kukonki was given a chance to impressCredit: GettyAmorim, 39, is preparing his team for his first game in charge which will come on Sunday away at Ipswich Town.However, he only had ten first-team players available to him due to international obligations.Kobbie Mainoo is continuing to build up his fitness, while Amad Diallo also took part, having missed Ivory Coast’s defeat to Zambia on Friday.Defenders Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro also took part in the session as they look to step up their fitness levels.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThis meant that the boss called upon the academy to flesh out the session.Godwill Kukonki, 16, was one player who was given an opportunity by the Portuguese coach.The defender is highly rated at the club, having impressed with the under-18s this season.It is believed that he has the “technical and physical qualities” needed to star in senior football.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKukonki has been compared to Manchester City star Josko Gvardiol due to his ability with his left foot.Other first-team stars who were involved were Casemiro, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford.Ruben Amorim gives first Man Utd interview and reveals number one priority to revive fallen giantsCasemiro took part in the sessionCredit: GettyMason Mount was one of the ten first-team players available to AmorimCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford also took park after his trip to the USCredit: GettyRashford made the most of the international break with a trip to New York to watch some NBA action.Tyrell Malacia was also on the grass as he continued to build his fitness.The defender has not featured for the club since the final game of the 2022/23 season.Manchester United have confirmed that Amorim will get his first chance to see the full squad later this week.This will be when they all return from international duty.However, there will be doubts over Victor Lindelof as he picked up injuries for Sweden.Tyrell Malacia was pictured in the training sessionCredit: GettyThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      Former top flight stadium left abandoned and overgrown just two years after club last played a game there

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      A FORMER top-flight European stadium has been left abandoned and overgrown.The Stade des Costieres was the old home of French outfit Nimes Olympique.The Stade des Costieres has been abandonedCredit: X/ objectifgardThe pitch has become completely overgrownCredit: X/ objectifgardIt was the home of the French club NimesCredit: X/ objectifgardThe club played at the 18,364-capacity ground between 1989 and 2022.The £133milllion stadium hosted the club for their two Ligue 1 seasons between 2018 and 2020.It was designed by architects Marc Chausee and Vittorio Gregotti with the latter also being the man behind the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy.Nimes moved into the ground in 1989 and played their first game there against Montcaeu in the French second division.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHowever, the club left the stadium in 22 for a new modern transitional stadium, the 8,033-capcity Stade des Antonins.In 2024, the city refused the owner Rani Assaf a permit to demolish the ground in order to build a new stadium on the site.The club was reportedly hoping to return to the stadium in 2026 with it rebuilt.However, due to the denial, the work has yet to commence on its renovation.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSRMC Sport have claimed that the stadium will become the property of the City of Nimes due to the end of a sales agreement.The agreement is set to expire on December 31, but it is claimed that Assaf has not provided proof of funds. Inside National League club’s abandoned ‘hotel-stadium’ with 17,000-seater project sold off for housingNimes played at the stadium during their recent stint in Ligue 1Credit: GettyThe club currently plays in the Stade des AntoninsThis means that the stadium will become a municipal facility.A recent video of the state of the ground has gone viral on social media.The clip shows the pitch completely overgrown and roots coming through the concrete in the stands.The current sports delegate for Nimes city hall, Nicolas Rainville, has claimed that the club will return to the ground.He said: “I tell you and I confirm it to you, Nimes Olympique will play again in a Costières stadium renovated to Ligue 1 standards.”Nimes currently play in the third division of French football, the Championnat National.They are 12th in the division, having won three of their opening 12 fixtures to the season.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Glenn Hoddle reveals dramatic football match which kick-started his heart problems

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      GLENN Hoddle says the dramatic end to England’s World Cup qualifiers against Italy in 1997 kick-started his heart problems.As manager he led the Three Lions to the 0-0 draw in Rome which secured their place in the finals in France 98 — but they nearly missed out in the final seconds.Former England manager Glen Hoddle says the dramatic end to England’s World Cup qualifiers against Italy in 1997 kick-started his heart problemsCredit: Getty – ContributorHoddle, 67, went into cardiac arrest on a BT Sport show in October 2018Credit: GettyMoments after England striker Ian Wright hit the post, Italy’s Christian Vieri flashed a header inches past the upright.Hoddle, 67, who went into cardiac arrest on a BT Sport show in October 2018, thought it was a certain goal.He told a football podcast he felt like his “heart jumped out of his body”, went boom and he came out in what he called the “biggest sweat”.Hoddle said: “If I’m behind it, I can see it’s going wide, but David Seaman just stopped. He just stood there. This ball, it flies by the net and it goes out.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHe said his heart went “boom” and he came out in the “biggest sweat”, adding: “To this day that is the moment where I think I had a heart problem and I didn’t know anything about it.“Then they found out I had AF which is an aerial fibrillation and I think it stemmed from that moment.Former England defender Gary Neville, who also appeared on the podcast, joked that Wright’s miss was “attempted murder” because it led to Hoddle’s heart attack.Wright laughed before saying: “It’s not my fault”.Most read in FootballHoddle added: “Boom, it went out and I remember going down the tunnel cos we’re all elated because we’re going to the World Cup and thinking to myself ‘Do I say something to the doctor? And to be honest I just went ‘Nah, C’mon, we’re celebrating, we’re going to the World Cup’.“Looking back I think that was the lead into my fibrillation and maybe whatever happened to me six years ago. It is stressful that technical bench.”Hoddle said ‘I never want to be put in that position again’ after ‘awkward’ call from Man Utd icon Sir Alex FergusonHoddle collapsed on his 61st birthday while working as a pundit for BT Sport.Luckily sound engineer Simon Daniels had recently completed a first aid course and jumped into action, breaking seven of the legend’s ribs as he performed CPR.His actions kept him alive for long enough for Hoddle to be rushed to hospital for open heart surgery at St Bart’s hospital in London.Simon later said: “I could tell Glenn was seriously unwell. Just being able to do CPR and do it quickly, you give someone that chance of making it.”Hoddle joked that Simon’s actions had given him “extra time”, but didn’t want to go to penalties.In May, Hoddle launched a campaign by the British Heart Foundation and Sky Bet which is aiming to encourage more than a quarter of a million people to learn CPR.More than 30,000 people suffer heart attacks outside of hospital every year, with fewer than one in ten surviving. More

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      Chelsea line up £35m transfer raid for Liverpool star Caoimhin Kelleher despite already having TEN goalkeepers

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      CHELSEA are plotting a summer raid on Liverpool for their goalie Caoimhin Kelleher, SunSport understand.The Irishman is set to leave Anfield at the end of the season when the Reds welcome new shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili.Chelsea are plotting a summer raid for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin KelleherCredit: AlamyChelsea manager Enzo Maresca might end up with ELEVEN goalkeepersCredit: AlamyThat signing is likely to see Kelleher, who has been superb between the sticks for Liverpool following the injury to Alisson, fall down to THIRD in the pecking order.That’s despite him starring in the team in recent weeks.Kelleher has no interest in sitting on the bench in the future, and the Republic of Ireland international almost left over the summer with Nottingham Forest among the clubs who reportedly lead the way for his services.Now Chelsea, who are in the market for a top keeper, are tracking the player.Read More on FootballSources told SunSport that one sticking point is the fact that Liverpool aren’t keen to sell such a good player to a potential title rival.But if Chelsea match the £35million valuation the club have placed on the player they might be left with little choice.Chelsea’s pursuit of the player is set to be matched by two Italian giants.Juventus and Napoli are both monitoring Kelleher but he is believed to prefer the option of staying in the Premier League if a deal can be done.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThat would see Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca ending up with a staggering ELEVEN goalkeepers.Those would include Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Marcus Bettinelli, Djordje Petrovic, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mike Penders, Gabriel Slonina, Luke Campbell, Ted Curd and Teddy Sharman-Lowe.Mikel Arteta ‘disappointed’ by Chelsea draw as Arsenal lose ground in title race The West Londoners also have Lucas Bergstrom and Eddie Beach, who are out of contract in June.Our story comes after Kelleher was given the seal of approval by former Republic of Ireland international Shay Given.“Caoimhin played 26 games last season and in that time he showed that he has the talent to be a No1 in the Premier League,” Given said.“But he turns 26 later this month and, if I am brutally honest, he needs to get away from Liverpool if he wants that to happen.“Kelleher would have been disappointed to hear [manager Arne] Slot state publicly that Alisson will always be his first-choice keeper because everyone wants to go into training every day with the belief that they are fighting for a place in the team. “Every professional footballer has to have that hope that if they get a place in the team and perform well then they will keep the jersey.“Caoimhin hasn’t got that. It has been made clear to him that he will always be behind Alisson – and let’s be honest he is up against a guy who is one of the best in the world.“Caoimhin turns 26 later this month. He’s done his time at Liverpool. That’s no disrespect to a brilliant club but they are now starting to think that they can’t hold Kelleher back for much longer because he is a quality player.“Maybe Caoimhin has been too nice about it up to now because sometimes you do have to force the issue. That isn’t a nice situation. He has been very loyal to Liverpool and he won’t want to upset the fans.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But at the same time, you only have one career, one life and one opportunity to make the most of what you’ve got. Ten years down the road he could be 36 and people are talking about him as being over the hill.”Given added: “I look at him and think this guy’s the real deal. He proved last season over a long period of time that he is top quality. I’m sure there’s a number of Premier League clubs who are looking at him. He is ripe, fully cooked, and ready to flourish.” More

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      Man Utd chiefs to ‘give Amorim much smaller budget than wasteful Ten Hag and hope he gets best out of two big signings’

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      RUBEN AMORIM will be expected to work on a much smaller budget than Erik ten Hag did at Manchester United, according to reports.Ten Hag, 53, spent more than £600million on transfers in barely two-and-a-half years as Red Devils boss.Ruben Amorim has been tasked with getting much more from the current Man Utd squadCredit: GettyErik ten Hag spent more than £600million on transfers at Man UtdCredit: GettyOver the last decade United have averaged five signings per summer.But according to the Telegraph, they are not planning to hugely reshape their current squad at the end of the season.Instead, club chiefs feel that new boss Amorim can get much more out of their current crop of players.Last summer, Ten Hag forked out nearly £200m on Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile during his reign he also spent £86m on Antony, £70m on Casemiro, £72m on Rasmus Hojlund and £60m on Mason Mount.The latter two in particular are players that United chiefs hope Amorim can get a tune out of.Since the Portuguese’s Old Trafford arrival, Man Utd scouts watched his former Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres score for Sweden over the weekend.But United bosses hope that Hojlund can deliver on his potential and begin to bang the goals in.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJoshua Zirkzee was among Man Utd’s summer signings this yearCredit: AlamyAmorim is set to take charge of his first match as Man Utd manager on Sunday.He will take his side to Ipswich Town, who grabbed their first Premier League win in 22 years when they triumphed 2-1 over Tottenham prior to the international break.Man Utd fans claim Ruben Amorim could be ‘new Jurgen Klopp’ after heartwarming gesture on stadium tourSpeaking for the first time as Man Utd boss last week, Amorim admitted that he is not fazed by the weight of history at Old Trafford.He said: “It’s a great responsibility but you feel honoured and excited to be part of that.”If the team plays well and wins games, everything looks so much better. We are the engine of football — Manchester United is the engine of the Premier League in my opinion.”For a long time we haven’t won the Premier  League but United is the biggest club in England.”This is part of the history but it isn’t now, so we have to address that and try to win again.”All the people are hungry for success and this is the place I want to be because of that — because you can be part of something special.”Man Utd chiefs hope that Amorim can get the best out of Mason MountCredit: RexRamus Hojlund has shown glimpses of potential at Old TraffordCredit: Getty More

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      Poland 1 Scotland 2: Robertson marks landmark cap with stunning late winner after McGinn’s historic opener

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      POLAND skipper Piotr Zieliński could have been forgiven for asking Andy Robertson for a selfie.Robbo’s last gasp header was as good as any goal Cristiano Ronaldo ever scored.Andy Robertson powered home a header to win the match for ScotlandCredit: Kenny RamsayIt was his first Scotland goal in five years – and on his 80th capCredit: EPAOn a night of mind-boggling high drama, the Scotland skipper’s late, late winner in Warsaw a full three minutes into stoppage time saw Steve Clarke’s side avoid Nations League relegation.The second spot dream was snatched away by Croatia’s 1-1 draw with Portugal.But on his 80th cap, the Liverpool left-back gave the travelling Tartan Army the victory to go with a spirited and gutsy display now meaning third place and a March play-off to in group A1.John McGinn fired the team ahead before Poland levelled. But in the dying seconds Robertson struck with a brave, bold header into the roof of the net.It was no more than Scotland deserved.HOW THEY RATEDCraig Gordon – recovered from a bug to win 79th cap and Scotland needed him at times. Tipped over shot from Piatkowski, saved from Swiderski then blocked Buksa. No chance with Piatkowski’s drive though. 7Anthony Ralston – Celtic right-back found it tough against Croatia but put in a decent shift last night. Read the game better and less rushed. Tired in second half and subbed. 6John Souttar – shaky at times for Rangers but grown into Scotland’s best defenders over the last four fixtures. Rock solid again. Incredible second half block then great cross for winner. 9Grant Hanley – subbed at half-time in the draw with Croatia but the Norwich defender kept his place ahead of replacement McKenna. Used experience and football brain to deal with Polish frontmen. 7Andy Robertson – only Leighton and Dalglish have more caps than the 80-cap skipper now. Clumsy early tackle and got away with slack pass which Swiderski should have scored from. Brilliant header for winner. 7Billy Gilmour – little midfielder didn’t have his shooting boots on against Croatia but cracked great effort from distance off the bar. Ball to Doak to tee up opener. Kept on going in tireless display. 7Kenny McLean – now two caps short of Hall of Fame, Norwich man kept his place in deep midfield role and kept play moving well in steady performance. Booked for challenge on Szymanski. 7Ben Doak – Clarke tried to fool everyone he might not start but was always going to be there. Took three minutes to create opener. Looked threat whenever got on the ball. Surprisingly subbed. 7Scott McTominay – great touch from the Napoli man set himself up for a shot which Skorupski saved then saw goalie tip brilliant effort onto post. Blazed tougher chance over then hobbled off. 7John McGinn – returned to starting line-up after scoring 19th goal on Friday. Took three minutes to hit No20 to cap superb display. 8Lyndon Dykes – back in to lead the line from the start for 42nd cap. Has only scored once for Birmingham. Crashed shot past post then saw header brilliantly saved then replaced by Shankland. 6SUBS: Lawrence Shankland (3) struggled for goals with Hearts and no chances last night, Ryan Christie (5) could feel hard done-by after being dropped. Booked soon after coming on in good runout, Ryan Gauld (4) in preferred central role after replacing McTominay and showed neat touches, Nicky Devlin (4) won second cap, Stuart Armstrong (2) on late.The whole Ben Doak could be dropped line from Clarke turned out to be one big ruse.A bluff.Most read in FootballA wind-up.There was no way in the world the on-form 19 year-old was going to be left out for this one.Scotland No2 John Carver on the REAL Steve Clarke, Euros disappointment, THAT Ronaldo tantrum & Souness bust-upClarke was just stringing everyone along with all that stuff about what the teenager can’t do. Right?Because if he was seriously thinking about kicking off with the wee man on the bench then he was guilty of over-thinking things like he’s done too often in the past.Doak had to play. Pure and simply. He was the outstanding man of the match against Croatia at Hampden because of the fearless way he terrorised a £77million defender.No-one in their right mind would have dropped him.The supposed argument that a super-fit kid cannot play two games three days apart is just nonsensical.Had Clarke seen it differently, it would have been an incomprehensible, unfathomable, dereliction of duty. A decision that would have been difficult to forgive and forget.But let’s play along with the idea he Doak was always going to start.The two changes Clarke did make to his starting line-up saw super McGinn and Lyndon Dykes return at the expense of Ryan Christie and young Tommy Conway.Again, there wouldn’t have been many supporters unhappy with that.McGinn has battled through a period of on-off form which has brought some criticism from certain quarters.But his goal against Croatia at Hampden on Friday was a timely reminder that he’s still got plenty to offer this Scotland team.And his strike here took his international tally to 20.Doak was at the heart of it.His run into the box saw him picked out by Billy Gilmour before his cut-back put the ball on a silver salver for McGinn.It was on his weaker right side, but the Aston Villa star calmly rolled his shot into the far corner of the net.Poland were stunned and had chances to level the game in the first-half.Craig Gordon shook off a virus to play and he made four really good stops to keep Scotland ahead.Were Clarke’s side fortunate at times? You bet they were.The home side threatened time and again and really ought to have scored at least once before the break.But was it backs to the wall from a Scotland perspective? Was it hell.Twice the Poland woodwork was rattled to go 2-0 ahead.First Gilmour unleashed a shot from outside the box which looked destined to dip over goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski  and find the net.But agonisingly the ball struck the bar.That was on 33 minutes and Scott McTominay had a decent chance four minutes later with his shot blocked.It was then that news came through from Croatia that Portugal were winning – just the update thew whole of Scotland wanted.With another goal needed, Clarke’s side did everything to get it.Three minutes before the interval McTominay drilled a low shot which was tipped onto the post by Skorupski.It was agonising.There had been other near misses too for Scotland, like Dykes smashing a shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.Poland were always dangerous, though.John Souttar was outstanding all night at centre-back and had to make an unbelievable goal-line clearance right at the start of the second-half.Scotland were giving it everything all over the pitch.There was never any sign that they were settling for the 1-0 in the hope that Portugal would score again.They kept pressing for another goal.A break forward led by McGinn almost brought it, but for a last ditch block at the near post.It was all or nothing and soon it was nothing.In 58 minutes it was Poland who hit the net with a blasted shot Gordon couldn’t get near.Kamil Piatkowski simply couldn’t have struck the ball any sweeter to find the top corner. In terms of claiming second spot, at that stage it meant nothing.Portugal were still winning and a strike for Scotland would see them finish runner’s up to Portugal by the NINTH tiebreaker, away wins.Clarke took off Doak for the closing stages with changes made to inject more energy and grab a goal.Dykes almost got it.He had a header brought with another fingertips save from the Poland No1 just when it looked he was beaten.Soon it emerged that Croatia had equalised in Split.Still Scotland didn’t give up.Substitute Christie could have scored to make it it 2-1 but his diving header was easily saved.But in the third minute if stoppage time, Robertson scored.READ MORE SUN STORIESA hopeful ball into he box was attacked in the air like never before as he won the game for Scotland.Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Gary Neville slams former player over story of his Salford exit

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      GARY NEVILLE has slammed a former Salford City star over his exit from the club.Jordan Hulme left the Ammies in 2017.Jordan Hulme left Salford City in 2017Credit: Mark Robinson – The SunHe claimed Gary Neville said his time at the club was upCredit: AFPHulme, 33, insisted that Neville told him he would never play for the club again.He told the I Had Trials Once podcast: “[I told Neville]’If you tell me there’s a slight chance then I’ll stay’.”And he was like, ‘There’s no chance. You’re not playing for us again’.”I had a £60,000 contract, so I got my head right, and I’m like ‘, Right, let’s take f*****g £40,000 off the b******s’.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”So I went in and came out with £8,000. That’s all they was offering me.”Hulme went on to claim that Neville and the club explained that they knew his wage and would have been willing to pay him to “sit in the stands”.He continued: “So I was saying, ‘No I want more’ and he was like, ‘We know what you’re on’, because I signed a s**t contract.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”They were saying to me ‘we know what you’re on. Do you think we are a***d about paying someone £450 a week for you to sit in the stand?’.Most read in Football”So that was their get out. But at 26, I was coming into my prime, and I did not want to do that.”‘He bottled it,’ squeals Neville as Carragher gives updated title predictionFull transcript of the conversationHere is the full transcript of Jordan Hulme’s claims over his exit from Salford City…Jordan Hulme: “So I rang Gary Neville to say like ‘don’t. If you tell me I can stay and fight for my place, I will train every day. I am not bothered if I am not in the squad for the first few, but if you tell me there is a slight chance, then I’ll stay’.”He was like ‘there’s no chance. You are not playing for us again’.Host Gareth Seddon: “Did he? is that what he said to you?”JH: “Pretty much yeah.”Mike Phenix: “Did you get a payup?”JH: “Yeah I did, what did I have? A £60,000 contract.”And I am like, let’s take £40k off the b*****s. So I went in and came out with £8k.”GS: “Why?”JH: “That is all he was offering me. So I was saying no I want more.”MP: “You should have stood your ground there.”JH: “No, because he was saying, because I signed a s**t contract. They were saying ‘We know what you’re on. Do you think we are a***d about paying someone £450 a week sit in the stands. That’s fine you can sit there.'”So that was their get out thing.”Hulme claimed on the podcast that he spoke to NevilleCredit: X/ IHadTrialsOnceHulme then joked that he went on a trip to Ibiza after leaving Salford.SunSport have seen the video and can confirm that Hulme was talking about Neville.Neville has also been approached for comment. The Man Utd legend has since claimed on social media that the conversation “never happened at all but sounds great”.Former Salford joint managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have admitted they spoke to Hulme.Johnson wrote on X: “Nope, it was me and Bernard Morley that sat down with Jordan, not Gary. Although, I can also confirm it was Gary Neville that sacked us, the ruthless, horrible sod!”Morely insisted that Hulme had “got his wires crossed” when he told the story.He added: “Gary, if Jordan said it was raining outside, I’d go and check.”As good as lad and footballer he is, I think he’s got his wires crossed with this.”Neville joined forces with former Manchester United team-mates Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville to purchase a stake in Salford back in 2014.They have since helped the club climb up to the football pyramid and into League Two.READ MORE SUN STORIESNeville recently, though, has taken a step back from his operational role due to his media commitments elsewhere.The eight-time Premier League winner works as a pundit and co-commentator for Sky Sports alongside his role for Salford.Who are these famous footballers? More