Gordon Strachan has named his squad that will face Croatia on 7th June in Zagreb. The Scotland manager has called up four new faces for the first time – Brighton defender Gordon Greer, midfielders Stuart Armstrong (Dundee Utd) and Ryan Jack (Aberdeen) and Celtic striker Tony Watt.

Hibs striker Leigh Griffiths has been called up for his first competitive game after he made his senior debut in an international friendly against Luxembourg last year.

On Griffiths’ inclusion Strachan told the assembled media: “Over the last couple of seasons he has decided he wants to improve and get better and he has done that. People can help you on your way to become better but your career is entirely in your own hands. At this moment he is shaping a good career. He was unfortunate, he was very close to being in the squad the last time. This time he has achieved that.”

There is no place for striker Kenny Miller, while Celtic duo Kris Commons and Charlie Mulgrew were not selected either. Commons is being rested, while Mulgrew is getting married. Charlie Adam, Christophe Berra, George Boyd, Graham Dorrans and Ross McCormack have also missed out on a call-up.

Full Scotland squad:

Goalkeepers
Matt Gilks (Blackpool)
David Marshall (Cardiff City)
Allan McGregor (Besiktas)

Defenders
Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)
Danny Fox (Southampton)
Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers)
Alan Hutton (Real Mallorca)
Russell Martin (Norwich City)
Lee Wallace (Rangers)
Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian)
Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)

Midfielders
Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United)
Liam Bridcutt (Brighton and Hove Albion)
Scott Brown (Celtic)
Chris Burke (Birmingham City)
Craig Conway (Cardiff City)
James Forrest (Celtic)
Ryan Jack (Aberdeen)
Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United)
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion)
Steven Naismith (Everton)
Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City)

Forwards
Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian)
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers)
Tony Watt (Celtic)

City beat Hibs 4-0 thanks to goals from Sue Lappin, Leanne Ross, Sarah Crilly and Leanne Crichton. That win has seen City stretch their lead at the top of the SWPL to six points.

But despite the scoreline, Kirk told the official Hibs ladies website: “The score is an injustice because I felt we were the better team. The result is obviously disappointing and if it hadn’t been for their goalkeeper I think we would’ve won because she made a number of top-class saves.

“Despite the end result I thought it was a great performance from the girls. We started both halves really strongly and were the only team trying to play any football.

“In years gone by City would pass you to death but they were so direct and I couldn’t believe the number of long balls they played. To their credit they took their chances when they came along but from our point of view they were all sloppy goals and preventable. I wish we were playing them again tomorrow because we would beat them.”

Those comments infuriated Black, who took the unusual step to hit back at his opposite number.

Speaking to the official City website, Black said: “The post match comments from Hibs manager, Willie Kirk both on the Hibs website and to the media, concern me. It appears he must have had memory loss from the game on Sunday. Not only did he say that Hibs were the better team, he stated that they were the only team trying to play football.

“Now I can accept every manager trying to keep the spirits of his team high, especially after being beaten 4-0 on your own patch in a top of the table clash, but I feel he needs to concentrate on his own side. I personally find managing one team to be hard enough.

“For the record, we had 20 attempts on goal to Hibs total of 12. We had 4 corners to their 2 and 13 crosses to their 8. We also completed 249 passes to Hibs total of 139. I don’t know how a so called long ball team who didn’t try and play any football has managed to out pass, out shoot and out score his side!”

“It has been well documented that as a club we have suffered through loss of players and injury, however this squad have responded brilliantly to every bit of trash talk thrown at them. Despite all the problems, they have met every challenge so far and sit at the top of the table with a 100% record and are in the League Cup Final and I am extremely proud of this group of players.”

Scotzine contacted Willie Kirk in regards to Black’s comments, but the Hibs manager stated: “I don’t think there’s any further response needed.”

The SWPL side will be hosting Hibernian Ladies in the first ever Friday night football game in the Scottish women’s game.

Hamilton Accies manager Kevin Murphy explains the thinking behind this trial event, said: “We wanted to trial this last season but we were not permitted however this season we have been granted permission and we hope it will promote the women’s league with an entertaining spectacle. Friday night games were trialed in the men’s game last season which proved successful and hopefully we can have similar success this Friday.

“We hope that by having the game on a Friday night we can increase awareness and attain more media attention for the game as well as boost the numbers attending a SWPL game. We have made a huge effort for the game such as having face painting for kids, free giveaways as well as running a local schools mascots competition.

“We will also be having a live twitter fan interaction during the game which we all hope will add to a family fun experience on the night.”

Recently appointed SFA brand manager for Women’s Football Nicola Campbell, is delighted Hamilton have taken on this venture. She added: “The idea of Friday Night Football was initially raised by Hamilton. I had been working within the Scottish FA for a number of weeks when I heard about the concept and felt that it would be great to trial it and to see the outcome in terms of audience at the match.

“A lot of girls and women who play football cannot watch other matches as they are normally all played on a Sunday afternoon so by having matches on a Friday evening it gives other players the opportunity to watch more of the sport which they love. In addition to this, I also feel that it would give individuals within local communities something else to do on weekends.

“I know that in England there are quite a few Friday night fixtures being played within the WSL. I was recently at the Friday evening match between Liverpool and Arsenal Women and there was a crowd of over 2000 at the match which is excellent. We will assess how Friday Night Football has done after the match and hopefully if successful, it may be something which we will see again in the SWPL”

The game against Hibernian will be a difficult game for the home side, which is something manager Kevin Murphy is fully aware of. He continued: “We are expecting a difficult game which we always get when we play Hibs. We lost after extra time in the league cup but we know we will have to play even better if we are to take anything away from the match. They will be hurting after there defeat to Glasgow City and we will have to be at our best to take all three points.”

Get yourself along to the John Cumming Stadium in Carluke for the 8pm kick off as well as all the other fun events which will be taking place on the night and show your support for women’s football.

The Hoops’ last win on the road came against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on February 9th, and since then the Scottish champions have slumped to three defeats and three draws.

Again, like Celtic, United had endured mixed fortunes in recent weeks, drawing five and losing three of their last ten SPL fixtures, which had seen them slip out of contention for the battle for European places at the top of the league.

The visitors had the upper hand in this fixture over the course of the season before today’s final installment, with Celtic having won twice in Glasgow by four goals: 6-2 and 4-0. Furthermore, the two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Tannadice in November of last year.

More recently, the Hoops won through to this weekend’s Scottish Cup Final with Hibernian at Hampden after an extra-time winner saw them defeat the Terrors 4-3 in April.

Celtic were expected to field a younger, less experienced side for their final league encounter of the season, with one eye perhaps turning to next weekend’s opportunity to complete a domestic double.

Surprisingly, however, a near-full strength starting eleven was named by Neil Lennon, with only the departing Paddy McCourt considered out-of-place amongst a side otherwise filled with mainstays.

On a day when Jon Daly, Willo Flood and Barry Douglas played their last game for the club, it was Dundee United who got things underway.

Very quickly though, it was the visitors who took control of proceedings.

As the game settled, Celtic looked comfortable in possession, surging forward in a 4-3-3 formation. The full-backs Lustig and Izaguirre provided width with Samaras, Hooper and Commons being supported by Ledley and McCourt while Brown insulated the central defensive pairing of Wilson and Ambrose from any United counter attack.

With less than ten minutes on the clock, Celtic almost opened the scoring. Jon Daly, much maligned by the away support as he prepares to join Rangers in the Scottish Second Division, clumsily barged Kris Commons to the floor around 25 yards from goal.

Commons picked himself up to curl the ball into the danger area, but somehow his delivery missed every Celtic player and ricocheted off John Souttar. The young and inexperienced central defender could have done nothing to prevent the deflection, but thankfully for the Terrors, goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak was alert to the danger and smothered the rebound before it crossed the line.

Nonetheless, the deadlock was broken by the visitors. Again, Daly’s clumsiness on the edge of the box gave Commons an excuse to go down, and referee John Beaton awarded another free-kick.

Being in a more central area and at closer range than on the previous occasion, the Scottish international decided to have a strike, and his low effort was drilled into the bottom left hand corner of the net to give Celtic a one goal advantage with less than fifteen minutes played.

Commons, who has nineteen goals to his name in all competitions this season, looked to make it twenty within seconds as yet another free-kick was drilled low toward goal. However Cierzniak did well to stretch out a glove and palm the ball onto the post before scooping up the rebound.

The visitors strolled into a two goal lead in the eighteenth minute when Georgios Samaras drove infield towards goal from the left-wing. He darted past Brian McLean at right-back, before his strike from just inside the box took a wicked deflection off of the shin of John Souttar, causing it to loop up and over a helpless Cierzniak into the top right hand corner.

Souttar will perhaps feel in hindsight that he may have done better, as he seemed to encourage the Greek to come inside instead of showing him back outside toward the touchline.

Samaras, who looked on top form throughout, had the ball in the back of the net only two minutes later when he raced clear of Daly and Souttar at the heart of the United defence to latch onto a long diagonal. Despite rounding the ‘keeper and tucking it away, assistant referee George Drummond had his flag raised.

Eight minutes later, Celtic found their way through again; this time it was legitimate, and there was no offside flag.

Jackie McNamara must have been struck with a sensation of déjà vu, as yet again, Kris Commons stood over a free-kick. His delivery was met by Samaras as he rose highest to meet the ball, heading down and into the net beyond Cierzniak to give the visitors a three goal cushion at half-time.

The manner in which the second half proceeded was largely similar to how the first half had unfolded, with Celtic seemingly comfortable and assured in defence, while looking dangerous on the break as they probed United on either flank.

The only highlight on an otherwise gloomy day for the United fans was witnessing the talented Gary Mackay Steven’s clever and intricate link up play with Stuart Armstrong on the right-wing. However, as pleasing on the eye as it was, there was little end product for much of the second period from here or anywhere else on the pitch to trouble Fraser Forster’s goal.

At times, Dundee United seemed to labour as they tried to move the ball down their right flank through Mackay Steven and Armstrong to their detriment as they appeared to leave John Rankin and Barry Douglas largely isolated wide on the left hand side of the pitch.

However, United did begin to enjoy a degree of success as occasional opportunities trickled through to Mackay Steven, Armstrong, Mark Millar and Willo Flood. Unfortunately though, the Celtic backline was alert to any danger, largely restricting the Terrors to shots from distance.

Celtic finally bagged their fourth of the game to apply some gloss to the victory with less than five minutes remaining.

This time, substitute Anthony Stokes, who had replaced Kris Commons around fifteen minutes beforehand, drove into the left hand side of the penalty area, much like Samaras had in the first half. His strike was deflected off of Mark Millar on its way through, leaving Cierzniak stranded as he watched the ball hit the back of the net once again.

Having been linked with Everton and, more recently, Leicester City, Neil Lennon would not be drawn on his own future or potential summer transfer targets, but seemed quietly satisfied with the performance of his side. He said: “Excellent performance, I’m delighted. We rotated the forward players, giving Samaras and Commons a start today. Anthony Stokes has started the last two games and done really well.

“I got everything I wanted from the team today. When you’re 3-0 up it’s difficult to replicate, but even in the second half, I thought going forward on the counter attack at times we were fantastic.

“It’s another clean sheet, and the goalkeeper’s made some good saves. It was important we stayed competitive going into the cup final, so the team can feel good about themselves after that.

“It’s not ideal having to give players holidays while the season is still ongoing, but we felt it was a necessity, and they’ve come back fresh. It’s a little bit different from working for a whole season and then having a six-week break. Once we had the championship won, it was important to give these guys some time off.

“Some of them will be away in the first week in June with their country. We’re back in pre-season on the 20th of June and the Champions League campaign starts in mid-July. There’s just no time for them.

“Having said that, they’re fit boys. They’re athletes, so they’re well-conditioned. It was their attitude that pleased me the most today.”

Jackie McNamara was, understandably, less satisfied than his counterpart, but seemed relieved that the season had concluded, allowing him to begin building for next season, he added: “Obviously I’m disappointed about the goals. I thought they were cheap goals to lose.

“When you play a team like Celtic you know that one of their strengths is the threat they carry from set-pieces, and we’ve lost three out of the four goals from those situations. The other one is deflected in too, so from our point of view, they’re cheap goals. We gave ourselves too much to do with silly, soft free-kicks.

“Today doesn’t change anything. Obviously you want to finish on a high for the fans and for the players. I still have the same things I need to try and change and improve on for next year.

“It doesn’t help that we’ve had so many injuries at the back. That was why we had to play Jon Daly at the back. We’re also not the tallest team in the league, so set-pieces are always going to be a problem, as we saw today.”

Dundee United: Cierzniak, Souttar, McLean, Daly, Douglas, Flood, Millar, Rankin, Armstrong, Mackay-Steven, Boulding.

Subs: Anderson, Tornstrand, Dow, Ryan, Russell, Gauld, Gardyne.

Celtic: Forster, Izaguirre, Ambrose, Wilson, Brown, Samaras, Commons, Ledley, McCourt, Lustig, Hooper.

Subs: Zaluska, Gershon, Rogic, Atajic, Stokes, Fisher, McGeough.

Pic: Actionplus.co.uk

Jon Daly is almost certain to become a Rangers player within the next 48 hours. The Irishman confirmed on Sunday that having agreed terms with Rangers and finalised contract details, only a precautionary knee scan stands in his way of joining the Ibrox side.

The 30-year-old has sustained a previous injury to his right knee, and Ibrox chiefs are keen to ensure that there are no underlying issues which may affect his short-term fitness before he completes the move.

Having spent six and half years at Tannadice since then-manager Craig Levein brought him north from Hartlepool, Daly is relaxed about the medical results: “It’s not finalised yet. We’ve done a medical and I’m just waiting to hear about that. If that’s all okay, it should be done and dusted.

“I think they were quite pleased with the shape of me. They obviously wanted to scan my right knee just to be sure, but I don’t think that’s going to be looked at until Monday.”

Speaking after Dundee United lost 4-0 to Celtic at Tannadice in his final game for the club, Daly added: “Of course today was emotional. Six and a half years at a fantastic football club, and I would never have imagined when I first came up here that I’d go on to achieve so much.

“I’m very grateful to Craig Levein and Peter Houston for taking a chance on me by bringing me up here. They took a gamble on me, and thankfully they did that. I’ve got a lot of respect for them.”

On choosing Rangers over other offers, Daly also explained: “I think I made my decision when I spoke to Ally McCoist. He’s a manager I’ve always had a lot of time and respect for. I’m 30 years old now, but I still feel that I’m learning. I don’t think there’s anybody better to learn from, being a fantastic striker in his day. I definitely feel like I can still progress and move forward as a player myself.”

Rangers began in a dominant fashion with a lot of possession, in what was clearly an attacking set-up. The first real chance of the game came after ten minutes, Lisa Swanson picked up the ball in midfield and her pass fell nicely to set Hayley Cunningham up for the shot, but her attempt was parried onto the bar by the Hutchison Vale keeper.

Rangers continued to force the play and had a number of near misses through strike partners Megan Foley and Lisa Swanson. Their possession finally paid off 25 minutes into the game as the ball found its way to Natalie Ross inside the penalty area, her well-timed run met the perfectly weighted pass and she finished to give Rangers the lead.

The goal spurred the home side on, as they began to create more chances. Lisa Swanson was unable to capitalise on a good cross from Leeanne Hughes and Hollie Thomson tried her luck from over 25 yards out, but her shot flew over the bar.

Rangers’ sustained pressure allowed them to double their lead on the half hour mark. A lay off from Ross fell perfectly to Cunningham who hit a fantastic strike first time into the top corner of the net.

Rangers started the second half as they ended the first, driving at the Hutchison Vale defence. Good work from Swanson and Cunningham on the left allowed the ball to fall to Megan Sneddon who, from 30 yards out scored her second goal in two games to make it 3-0 to Angie Hinds’ side.

Cunningham and Thomson both tested the Hutchison Vale keeper from distance whilst at the other Khym Ramsay was called into action,  impressively holding the visitor’s first shot on target. With fifteen minutes remaining, Rebecca Storrie made her debut for Rangers after a long-term injury.

Rangers looked to extend their lead right to the final whistle, with Megan Foley breaking forward, however her shot was foiled by the crossbar. Subsequent efforts from Cunningham and Hughes proved unable to trouble the Vale keeper and Rangers sealed all three points.

The victory sets Rangers up for a midweek clash against Hibernian. A win in the rescheduled fixture would see the Light Blues overtake their opponents and sit a point ahead in second place.

Head Coach Angie Hind reflected on the game: “It was a solid win today and a good team performance. We changed our shape a little to suit the qualities we have in the team and I think we did some really good things. Another clean sheet and goals from our midfield are pleasing too.”

Report by Mary Anne Orr

Glasgow City have moved six points clear at the top of the Scottish Women’s Premier League following their 4-0 win over Hibernian Ladies at Albyn Park, Broxburn.

Sue Lappin opened the scoring for City after just 20 minutes, before Leanne Ross converted a penalty two minutes later. City added to their scoreline in the second half through Sarah Crilly just after the hour mark, before former Hibs midfielder Leanne Crichton rounded off the scoring for Eddie Wolecki Black’s side.

The opening 15 minutes of the game saw both sides cancel one another out, with Jo Love and Eilish McSorley being denied for City while Hibs’ Siobhan Hunter saw her strike end up the wrong end of Lee Alexander’s post.

But with City getting a foothold in the game, they finally found the back of the net on 20 minutes through Sue Lappin. Jo Love was fouled outside the box and from the resulting free kick, Leanne Ross flighted in a perfect cross into the six yard box for Lappin to head past Jenna Fife in the Hibs goal.

Just two minutes later and City extended their lead from the penalty spot. City striker Suzanne Malone latched onto some slack play from the Hibernian defence and powered into the Hibs box only to be fouled by Laura Murray to concede the penalty. Leanne Ross stepped up to take the resulting penalty and sent Fife the wrong way to make it 2-0 to City.

On the half hour mark, some great individual skill from Ruesha Littlejohn on the edge of the box saw her afforded enough time to tee up a cross for Malone, but she could only divert her shot wide of the Hibs goal.

Despite City’s lead and dominant play, Hibs were still causing trouble for Glasgow City and their backline. The home side were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out close to the side line, and Joelle Murray’s superb shot beat Alexander in the City goal but the woodwork denied the Hibs midfielder.

On 33 minutes Danni Pagliarulo was booked for a succession of fouls much to the pleasure of some Hibernian supporters, who had been demanding a booking for half an hour.

Four minutes later and Murray again tried her luck from distance at a set piece, the ball skipped off the wet surface making it difficult for Alexander in the City goal, but she comfortably held the shot at the second attempt.

It was end to end stuff with the half time interval fast approaching as both Hibs and City had chances to score. First Susan Fairlie had a chance to pull a goal back for Willie Kirk’s side as she latched onto a through ball, but rather than taking a touch before looking to hit her shot she decided to hit it first time at the stretch, only to see her tame effort go wide.

City went up the other end within seconds and should really have made it 3-0, but Nic Docherty fired wide of the target.

At half time, City replaced Pagliarulo with Danica Dalziel, a change that was both tactical and down to Pagliarulo’s earlier yellow card.

Three minutes into the second half, Hibs should have pulled a goal back as Lizzie Arnott’s pass saw Susan Fairlie one-on-one the Lee Alexander in the City goal, but the keeper pulled off a superb save to deny the Hibs’ striker.

On 50 minutes, Hibs’ Frankie Brown and City’s Suzanne Malone went head to head after a challenge from the latter, which the Hibs player felt was high.

Soon after, Ruesha Littlejohn turned inside and under pressure struck her shot off the post, with the danger not cleared by the Hibs defence Lisa Robertson had a chance against her former side, but it was cleared off the line, before Sue Lappin fired her shot well over the bar.

City were dealt a blow on 55 minutes, when influential midfielder Jo Love was substituted through injury being replaced by Sarah Crilly.

And it was substitute Sarah Crilly who extended City’s lead on 66 minutes. Nic Docherty crossed in a perfectly flighted ball into the six yard box and the smallest player on the pitch, Crilly, rose above the Hibs defence to power home a header past Fife.

Alexander was called into action at the other end as she denied a goal bound effort as she tipped the shot over the bar to deny Hibs once more.

On 72 minutes, Lisa Robertson latched onto a Ruesha Littlejohn cross, but her low angled shot was comfortably saved by Fife. A minute later and Sue Lappin headed a Leanne Ross corner over the bar.

Hibs were to be denied once again by Alexander, as Fairlie raced through on goal, but Alexander seeing the threat raced out of her goals to gather the ball and send the Hibs striker into the air also.

With six minutes remaining, Littlejohn was denied by Fife, but the rebound was laid off by Crilly to the onrushing Crichton who fired home to score City’s fourth goal of the game.

That was the last meaningful action of the game, as both sides made a number of changes with full-time approaching. With Hibs making an enforced change as Siobhan Hunter looked to have picked up a serious injury with a minute left on the clock.

After the match, City head coach Eddie Wolecki Black said: “I thought it would be a really competitive match and it was, end result is we have won the game 4-0 and we are really happy with the three points. I have to say that Hibs are as good a team as we have played against this season. They started really well and made things difficult for us, forcing us into errors. But once we settled into the game, we looked a huge threat going forward.”

On the injury to Jo Love, Black added: “We have to wait and see. Jo is very optimistic for next week, but I’d doubt that to be honest. We will just have to wait and see what the report says when it comes back from the medical staff.”

Hibernian head coach Willie Kirk, felt that despite the result his side were every bit as good as City, he said: “Very very disappointed with the result, at the end of the day its the result that matters. So its kind of secondary our performance, but general performance I was really pleased and the way we took the game to them, despite the scoreline being 2-0 at the time, I felt that we kept trying to get on the front foot, from that point of view I was really pleased.”

Asked if the scoreline was somewhat harsh on his side, Kirk added: “Anybody that was here today will probably testify to that. I wish we were playing them [City] tomorrow, I really do wish we were playing them tomorrow again as I think that performance has given us the belief that we are as every bit as good as them.

“But if you lose four goals you have to remedy that and we will work on that on the training ground. The way the league works now is that you have three bites at them, so more than enough chances to remedy that. But we have to keep focus on every other game as it’s just not City games that win you a league, so Wednesday night’s game against Rangers is very important.”

In an exclusive interview, Hotscots FC talks to editor Andy Muirhead. Scotland’s first Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender football team has claimed that football is still an unwelcoming environment for LGB&T players and supporters, but with the help of football governing bodies progress can be made against homophobia.

AM: You are Scotland’s very first LGBT football team – why was the team established? Are you specifically LGBT or do you welcome heterosexual players to your ranks?

HotscotsFC: “We don’t think that too many would disagree that football has been and continues to be perceived sometimes as a pretty unwelcoming environment for LGB&T players and supporters. It’s all been documented before, for example in Stonewall’s “Leagues Behind” report, the Equality Network’s “Out for Sport” study or, very recently, the GFSN report on the abuse directed at Brighton supporters by opposition fans.

“Whether it’s having to listen to homophobic abuse being shouted in our football stadiums, or direct abuse on the park or at training football still has a fair way to go before it will be known as a sport welcomes players and supporters regardless of their sexuality.

“The simple fact is that footballers do not generally ‘come out’ – that says it all about what sort of reaction they expect.

“That’s not to say the problem is endemic or can never be solved. Far from it – if the football authorities are able to take action, a lot of progress could probably be made with minimal effort. And thankfully, it looks like the Scottish FA is now interested in getting involved.

“It’s that image that has led to clubs like HotScots being set up. The club provides a welcoming place for people who want to play football and where no one will give a damn about their sexuality.

“We welcome all players, regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality. It would be unusual for one of our match day squads not to have a couple of ‘straight’ players included. Often they get involved with the club because a family member, friend or work colleague plays for the team already.

AM: Looking through your fixture list – you seem to play against English opposition, is this a league made up of LGBT teams or is it mixed? Why compete against English teams in a league – why not play in Scottish league setup?

HotscotsFC: “We play in a UK-wide league organised by the GFSN (Gay Football Supporters Network). The league comprises of teams that are explicitly LGBT friendly. Like HotScots FC, there aren’t any that are ‘LGBT only’ – each team has a completely different balance of players of different backgrounds.

“The league celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and the reason why it was set up was very much the same idea that lead to founding the HotScots – creating a welcoming but competitive environment for folk who want to play football regardless of sexuality.

“There isn’t an equivalent league in Scotland as there just aren’t enough teams. For a while there was a team in Aberdeen called the Granite City Stormers, and now we have a friendly rivalry with Saltire Thistle in Glasgow. We’ve met twice in the GFSN cup so far, with one win each. They’ve cantered to successive league titles in divisions three and two and so will join us in the top flight next year. We look forward to further battles – and to Scotland dominating the league!

“Plus, there is a good social side to the league and we enjoy our away trips to London, Manchester, Brighton, Cardiff and wherever else football takes us.

“This year we are making the trip to Antwerp to play in the “Outgames”. If it is half as enjoyable as the Cologne “Gay Games” that we competed in back in 2010, it will be a fantastic occasion. The massive opening ceremony at FC Koln’s stadium, playing teams from Argentina and Japan, and of course a fair bit of partying all added up to an amazing week.

“This all takes a heck of lot of hard work from our committee in terms of fundraising and organisation, and we also have a lot to thank our shirt sponsors and website sponsors for in terms of financial support.”

AM: How many players do you have?

HotscotsFC: “We’ve got around 25 playing members, though it’s probably fair to say we have a core group of around 15 who will attend training pretty regularly and make up our squad on most match days. This season a good eight or nine players have started every game. Although 15 or 16 games a season isn’t a lot for most amateur clubs, it’s one hell of a commitment when you think of some of the travelling involved and the weekends given up.

“We’ve been pleased to have a few younger players joining us recently, since there is also a handful of us clinging on to our football lives like Davey Weir!

“They are all just football daft. Obviously we’ve got plenty of Jambos and Hibees, but also supporters of the Old Firm, the Bully Wee, Man United, Villa, Chelsea, a couple of Arabs, and a Dee. Some have season tickets – though how much use they get out of them is hard to say.”

AM: What has been the reaction from teams outside of the LGBT circle? Have you receive any hostile reception or ‘choice’ comments on the field of play? If so how do the players deal with it?

HotscotsFC: “We’ve played numerous friendlies against local Edinburgh sides and a couple of years back we took part in a ‘mainstream’ summer league. On the whole the reaction is absolutely fine. However, there have been a couple of incidents of verbal abuse which were out-of-order but there’s not much you can do but leave the referee to resolve the matter More generally, you sometimes detect an expectation that an LGBT football team must be utterly cr*p – and it’s satisfying to dispel some of the stereotypes. There are some who are definitely not happy about losing to an LGBT team.

“Playing in mainstream leagues has become increasingly common. Village Manchester do this instead of playing in the GFSN (though they compete in the cup), and this season both Saltire Thistle and London Titans have competed in both the GFSN and local amateur leagues. Again, on the whole this seems to have gone well, though there can still be isolated incidents including one pretty serious one.

“When it works, as it usually does, it all makes a valuable contribution to getting the message out there that the LGBT community can contribute to football, and should be made welcome.

AM: There has been a number of high-profile professionals coming out and stating that they are gay now, whether it is Rugby, Baseball, Basketball etc why do you think no professional football player has ‘come out’ and announced his sexuality?

HotscotsFC: “There’s been Anton Hysen in the Swedish third division; and Robbie Rogers who came out recently may go back to professional football in the US after originally saying he would leave the game on coming out.

“But closer to home, there will be a number or reasons why players won’t come out publically. First they have to have supportive colleagues and club. Many would be, but not all. Others will be fearful of the reaction of the supporters. And I’m sure plenty will not welcome the media rigmarole.

“We would certainly never twist a player’s arm to come out against their will. However, if and when it happens it would be another boost for the LGBT community and the campaign to end homophobia in football. So the aim is to help encourage an environment where it will be easier for players to come out if they choose.

AM: What is your ultimate goal for the club? And for the LGBT football scene?

HotscotsFC: “From one point of view, it would almost be the ultimate success if HotScots and the GFSN ceased to exist because LGBT footballers were fully integrated into mainstream leagues. That said, we’d still miss the social side of things!

“More immediately, we just want our players to continue enjoying their football, and like any club we want to win things! We won the GFSN cup in our first full season (2008/9). We’ve come frustratingly close to more success this year, reaching the cup semi-finals and finishing as runners-up in the league, losing just one game all season.

“Perhaps if even a couple of players reading this decide to join up we can go on to even better things next season.”

Scotzine contacted the Scottish FA in regards to the work that they are doing to help tackle the problem of homophobia in the game, they stated: “….we have endorsed Hotscots FC in their funding efforts and are close to launching our equity strategy to make football more accessible to all ethnic minority groups, all genders and all sexual orientation.”

Scotzine would like to thank the guys over at Hotscots FC for the interview and we wish them well.

The DC Presidents opened their 2013 campaign at home against the Edinburgh Wolves. Having finished last season 2-7-1, the DC Presidents had a busy off-season building the team and preparing for the 2013 season.

Edinburgh were last year’s Division Two North champions who are looking to secure another win as they look to repeat their championship success.

© Video courtesy of Gridiron TV