WE’RE McGINN WITH A SHOUT

ACROSS

3. Verges (5)

8. Seraglio (5) 10.Legendary king (5) 11.Lettuce (3) 12.Oozes (5) 13.Furniture item (7) 15.Heavily loaded (5) 18.Wild animal's

lair (3) 19.Courteous (6) 21.Save (3,4) 22.Govern (4) 23.Chime (4) 24.Discovers the

whereabouts of (7) 26.Tarantula, say (6) 29.Vehicle (3) 31.Melodies (5)

16.Plunges (5) 17.Recently (5) 19.Unnecessary fuss (7) 20.Faith (5) 21.Unadorned (5) 23.Advantage (7) 24.Period of instruction (6) 25.Shade of brown (3) 27.Student (5) 28.Tennis score (5) 30.Unit of purity of gold (5) 32.Microbe (4) 33.Torn cloth (3) YESTERDAY SOLUTIONS

32.Common (7) 34.Escort (5) 35.Distant (3) 36.Discotheque, in

short (5) 37.Cheroot, say (5) 38.Foe (5)

DOWN

1. Parrot type (5)

2. What is left (7)

4. Slimming plan (4)

5. Use (6)

6. Fibre type (5)

7. Military trainee (5)

9. Steal from (3) 12.Legislator,

statesman (7) 14.Mesh (3)

ACROSS: 3 Baker; 9 Cooker; 10 Pistol; 11 Green; 12 Ibis; 15 Egress; 17 Duchess; 19 Put; 20 Tower; 22 Album; 24 Teach; 25 Token; 27 Hop; 29 Rotunda; 32 Anorak; 34 Ties; 35 Rigid; 37 Direct; 38 Corpse; 39 Helen

DOWN: 1 Acrid; 2 Tonic; 3 Beg; 4 Arrest; 5 Epee; 6 Ringlet; 7 Steep; 8 Blast; 13 Bullion; 14 Shout; 16 Suicide; 18 Sober; 21 Rebut; 23 Monarch; 26 Novice; 27 Hardy; 28 Pours; 30 Nippy; 31 Asset; 33 Kite; 36 Don

STEVE Clarke last night admitted he is “very optimistic” ahead of the Euro 2020 play-offs next year after watching his John McGinninspired Scotland side come from behind against Kazakhstan and end their qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win.

The national team were trailing 1-0 at half-time at Hampden in their final Group I fixture after allowing the familiar foe of