HOT

GORDON STRACHAN

THE definitive Marmite manager, Strachan could have walked after defeat by our lame England team a year ago. But the Scotland boss stubbornly stuck around and his side are in with a shout of a play-off place. Second place in Group F would be creditable and if you aren’t convinced, go and watch some Scottish league football.

STUART MATHIESON

ONLY two journalists have covered Manchester United for the local Evening News since Munich. One was the revered David Meek and the other has, for the past 22 years, been Mathieson. So news that he is leaving is a blow for those who still require knowledgeable coverage of the country’s biggest football club. United should offer him a job in their media department. Few understand the place better.

THE POOL DECK

WATCHING an Ashes Test from a swimming pool on the boundary will be an option at the Gabba in Brisbane next month and while it may not play to the traditionalists it will be worth it just to see what the average Australian male likes to wear at the beach. The Aussies do cricket well and they are finally beginning to understand what good beer tastes like. Style? Not so much.