Scotland Men's Football Team

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Steven Naismith expects to continue in the Scotland set-up under the next national team head coach and says he is ready to help in any capacity.

Steve Clarke stood down after Scotland failed to progress from the group stages at this summer's World Cup after seven years in charge. The search for his successor is ongoing.

Naismith - who was appointed as Clarke's assistant in 2025 - previously managed Hearts.

"The conversations have all been that I'll be involved somewhere," Naismith told Sky Sports.

"The next manager has to be someone with a bit of experience and can progress what has been done.

"I'm ready to help wherever it may be. Over the last two or three years, I've done a lot on the coach education side and went through my pro licence as well.

"I do feel as though I've got some skills in all these areas to contribute. Whatever I need to do in the short term, I will do because I want to make Scotland as good as it can be."

Naismith said a deal for Everton boss David Moyes - who has been linked with the vacancy - is "unlikely".

"David Moyes is one of the best Scottish managers the country has produced," he said.

"That's probably unlikely because he's gone into Everton at a time where that needs a big rebuild.

"He's a fantastic manager and before he retires I'm pretty sure we will see him in the Scotland dugout."

Rangers centre-half John Souttar, the Scotland international's brother, Australia and Leicester City defender Harry, and Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate are all on West Ham United's summer radar. (iNews, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Former Scotland striker and ex-Rangers manager Ally McCoist has admitted he would never turn down the chance to be national head coach as the hunt for Steve Clarke's successor continues. (TalkSport, external)

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Cardiff City, Sheffield United and Watford are keen on Scotland centre-half John Souttar, with Rangers looking for a seven-figure fee for the 29-year-old who is not so keen on Leicester City as he is reluctant to drop to England's third tier. (Daily Record, external)

John Souttar's Aberdeen-born brother, Australia centre-back Harry, is expected to be sold by Leicester City this summer, with West Ham United and Wrexham both keen on the 27-year-old. (Daily Record, external)

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Former Scotland captain Paul Lambert does not intend to apply for the national head coach job, but has not ruled out taking a call from the Scottish FA.

Lambert has managed extensively in England, most recently at Ipswich Town, where he left in 2021. Since then, he has worked in a non-managerial capacity at former club Borussia Dortmund.

Steve Clarke vacated the Scotland job after this summer's World Cup campaign.

"I've been asked to go back in a few times since I left Ipswich and I worked for Dortmund for a spell, which I absolutely loved," Lambert told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"Something would have to jump out at me to do it. I guess you have to wait for the call.

"I would never apply for it. There's a great thing called a telephone, they can call.

"You can never say never to what's going to happen."

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It was "incredible" how Craig Gordon came back from a double leg break four years ago to make this summer's finals and end his career with Scotland at the World Cup, Rory Loy has stated on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

Ex-striker Loy suffered the same injury as the former Celtic, Hearts and Sunderland goalkeeper, who announced he is retiring from playing on Thursday.

"I did the same thing, but I did it when I was 20, 23," he said of Gordon, who suffered the injury at the age of 39.

"So it's a different mindset, 23, I suppose. You're still young, you're motivated, your body's young to try and come back from it.

"But to do it at his age, in his late 30s and still manage to come back from it. Trust me, I know how difficult it is to come back from that injury, psychologically, as as well as physically. It's not easy.

"The shin bone just snaps basically. So it needs to heal and then obviously your whole biomechanics, the way you walk, the way you move, the way you do everything, it just changes.

"So I needed orthotics in my shoes basically to change and adapt to the way I now move differently and there's just so many different layers to it.

"For him to go through that that type of thing at the age he was at and still have the motivation to come back and play football just sums up the type of mindset he had.

"But, away from all of that, the level of goalkeeping and saves he had was incredible."

We asked for your views after Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon announced his retirement from football on Thursday.

Here's what some of you said:

Lewis: A joy to watch throughout his career and a genuine contender as Scotland's greatest ever keeper. Happy retirement, legend.

Benny: Happy retirement to Gordon. He overcame so many injuries that would've ended any other career many times over. It's a testament to the man and his mental strength. A great servant to football and shining example to any young player on how to play the game. All the best big man.

Jim: Thank you for your service. Absolutely fantastic keeper and ambassador for Scotland.

Thomas: I don't think he would've done any worse of a job had he started instead of Angus Gunn which is a testament to his longevity, but I would've loved to see him actually play at the tournament so he could've been given a proper send off.

Elisa: He is wonderful, we will miss him so much. A journey to be proud of and I'm so glad you played for Hearts.

Nice are exploring a move for 22-year-old former Scotland Under-21 striker Robbie Ure, who can leave Sirius for around £5.2m amid interest from several European clubs. (Anthony Joseph on X, external)

Scotland left-back Greg Taylor has admitted he would be open to a return to Celtic only a year after the 28-year-old's move to PAOK. (Pitch To Par podcast, external)

Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland has confirmed there was a clause in his Hearts contract that meant, if a potential offer came in from any club, they would work to make it happen and he decided he wanted to join Rangers. (Daily Record, external)

Read Friday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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Over the past year, Craig Gordon granted BBC cameras unprecedented access to his life at the age of 42, as he attempted to reach a World Cup.

Along the way, we learned about his miracle saves and comebacks from injuries that should have ended his career, yet which allowed him to continue competing at the top level for so many years.

From a prodigy at Hearts to a record breaker in the Premier League and an invincible at Celtic, Gordon has had a career like no other, but there was one thing missing - being part of a World Cup.

To get there, he had to overcome opposition on the pitch as well as the limitations of his own body as he battled injuries to keep the dream alive.

Watch the Gordon edition of Icons of Football on BBC iPlayer

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In an emotional video, external posted by Hearts, Craig Gordon shared this message upon his retirement...

"Everyone has dreams. Mine were probably no different to most kids: play for my club and my country. Heart of Midlothian and Scotland.

"Improbable? Perhaps. Impossible? Absolutely not.

"Hard work, sacrifices, setbacks. Step by step, dreams become reality. From supporting Hearts to playing for Hearts.

"Years of hard work can never fully prepare you. You want to do yourself proud, you want to do your family proud, you want to do the fans proud.

"There's nothing better than walking out here at Tynecastle, hearing Gorgie roar and celebrating a victory. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy many of them.

"Some brought Edinburgh bragging rights, some brought trophies, some brought European memories. All of them special because I got to share them with the fans.

"I'm not much of a singer, but I improved a little after 84 renditions of the national anthem. The biggest names, at the biggest stadiums, on the biggest stages - I've savoured every moment of it.

"I've never wanted it to end, but end it must. I have lived my dreams and for that, I'm so thankful.

"Thankful for my team-mates and coaches pushing me all the way. Thankful for my opponents for spurring me on. Thankful for the medical staff who have worked with me throughout the years. Thankful to my loved ones for their support. And thankful to the fans for being behind me for 24 years.

"But now the gloves are finally off, and I bid farewell to my playing career. You, the fans have given me everything, and it has been a privilege to represent you.

"I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Image source, Getty Images

Scotland and Hearts great Craig Gordon has announced his retirement from professional football.

The 41-year-old began his footballing journey when he joined the Tynecastle club's academy in 1999, and what followed was a hugely successful career.

In terms of silverware, Gordon won six Scottish top-flight titles with Celtic as well as five League Cups and three Scottish Cups - the latter a trophy he also lifted with Hearts.

Internationally, the goalkeeper earned 84 caps for the Scottish national team and was part of the squad that took Scotland to their first World Cup in almost 30 years.

As the goalkeeper hangs up his gloves, send us your thoughts on Gordon's career.

Ross County forward Brian Graham suggests his former Falkirk manager John McGlynn as Scotland manager. (Press and Journal - subscription required, external)

Wednesday's Scottish gossip

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Findlay Curtis wants to "showcase my talent in Europe on the biggest stage" for Rangers after living "every kid's dream" by playing for his country at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old winger became the youngest Scot to play at a World Cup finals when he came on a substitute in the victory over Haiti.

And he believes it was reward for pushing to be sent on loan to Kilmarnock.

"If you go and do really well, it will stand you in good stead and, even if you do bad, you get learning experiences," Curtis told Rangers TV after scoring the equaliser with a cross-come-shot in a 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs at their pre-season training camp in Spain.

"It's been unbelievable between January and now, going to Killie and doing really well and I couldn't thank them enough for what they've down for me and that leading to the World Cup squad.

"It was quite daunting at the start coming away from a big club like this, but you have to relish it and need to be confident in yourself.

"It stood me in good stead and I can't wait to get going this season."

Curtis joked that Kilmarnock started winning as soon as he arrived as he helped Neil McCann's side steer clear of relegation trouble and thought the biggest improvement was on the "mental side" of his game.

After an "emotional" exit from Rugby Park, he is back at Ibrox and aiming for a starting place under new manager Derek McInnes.

"You can't really sit on the bench at this age," he said. "You need to go and showcase your talent and I want to do that in Europe on the biggest stage."

As for his World Cup experience, Curtis added: "It's obviously every kid's dream.

"It was some experience going over there to America and hopefully there's more to come.

"It's a shame the results didn't go our way, but we'll be back, definitely."