Honours even at St Andrews

Scotland squad announced

Gretna players paid - in part

Birmingham City and Newcastle United drew 1-1 at St Andrews as both clubs continue to struggle at the wrong end of the Premier League table. James McFadden gave the home side the lead on 33 minutes but Michael Owen struck level in the second half.

New Scotland boss George Burley has named his first squad ahead of the Hampden clash with Croatia on March 26. Burley has given call-ups to Heart of Midlothian defender Christophe Berra and Hibernian striker Steven Fletcher while Sunderland’s Russell Anderson has also been recalled. David Weir of Rangers has been left out because of his club’s busy domestic schedule and the only other player to drop out of the previous squad is injured West Bromwich Albion striker Craig Beattie.

John Toshack has named the Wales squad for the friendly in Luxembourg on March 26. Hull City goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and Stockport County’s Ashley Williams are called up for the first time. Doncaster Rovers duo Brian Stock and Stephen Roberts are also included while Portsmouth defender Richard Duffy earns a recall. Derby County striker Rob Earnshaw misses out. Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and Tottenham Hotspur defender Chris Gunter have been demoted to the Under-21’s who have a crucial European qualifier in Bosnia-Herzegovina on the same day. 

Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is out for the rest of the season due to a back problem picked up during the warm-up of the UEFA Cup clash with Sporting Lisbon at the Reebok Stadium on March 6. There are fears that the 32-year-old may have played his last game for Bolton as he is out of contract at the end of the season.

West Ham United have appointed Gianluca Nani as the new technical director at Upton Park. The Italian will quit his role as sporting director of Serie B side Brescia and begin his role in June. 

Blackpool are investigating allegations of racist chanting by their own supporters during the Lancashire derby with Preston North End at Bloomfield Road on Saturday. BBC Radio Lancashire received a number of calls complaining that Blackpool fans chanted racist slogans during the goalless draw.

Gretna players have been paid a fraction of their wages by the club’s administrator. The sum amounts to 55% of one week’s pay, although they are still owed two full weeks plus bonuses. Meanwhile, the Scottish Premier League have ruled that Gretna will play their next two ‘home’ fixtures at Livingston’s Almondvale due to drainage problems at Motherwell’s Fir Park where they currently groundshare. The poor condition of Fir Park has already led to a number of postponements. Gretna entertain Celtic at Almondvale on Sunday and Inverness Caledonian Thistle on April 5.

Nathan Davies