The Scottish National Football Team has never looked short of top-class talent but has consistently struggled to live up to their billing. A succession of poor managerial appointments, poorer performances and a general lack of cohesion between both has left the Scots desperate for some stability and form going into Euro 2020 qualifiers.

The recent sacking of the much-maligned Alex McLeish is an opportunity for the SFA to start again with yet another clean slate. How can they leave their failings in the past and make a genuine challenge to compete in Europe’s premier international competition?

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has urged the players to roll their sleeves up as they face a relegation battle in their hands. The Seagulls have been in a woeful run of form during the backend of the season and the recent home defeat at the hands of Cardiff City has put them within two points off the relegation zone.

Speaking after the Bluebirds’ defeat, Hughton indicated that the team must find a way of turning around the lean run of form, given they have quality within their ranks to do so, he said: “We’ve always had a battle on our hands, we’re a young team in this division and there’s going to be highs and lows. At this moment it’s a low, particularly because of the last two defeats at home, but we have no choice but to get on with it, roll our sleeves up and show the quality that we’ve got. We need to get back to what we do best and look to get results in this series of games. “It’s still very much in our own hands and that’s the way we have to look at it. It’s been a huge disappointment for us, particularly at home, but we have to find a way around this.”

Danny Rose claims that the dip in form experienced by Tottenham over the last few weeks is quite alarming as the end of the season approaches. Spurs have been on the losing side in three out of the last four league matches.

As a result, it has significantly worsened the hopes of finishing in the top four with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United making up a lot of ground of late. Even Chelsea have been picking up points with a reasonable consistency. Tottenham appeared to be in a title race not too long ago, but they are now facing a major fight just to remain in the top four.

The England football team did themselves proud in Russia during the 2018 World Cup last summer, and in the summer of 2019 they have a chance to do it all over again.

England have qualified for the Nations League final this summer and while this competition is nowhere near on the same level as the World Cup in terms of prestige, it is still a competition to win.

Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has said that he likes playing alongside Marcus Rashford, given the coordination between the two on the attack. The Belgium international made the key difference in the shock Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain with a brace but Rashford has his moments and was responsible for converting the defining penalty which ensured United’s progress to the quarter-final stage.

Speaking after the game, Lukaku spoke about his fond relationship with Rashford on the field which contributed towards United’s second goal of the game, he said: "Me and Marcus Rashford knew we could do the business today after playing together against Fulham. It was a pleasure to play with him today like that. We agreed to step up the press together and I told him every time he shoots I would follow the ball in. We just keep going - everything starts on the training ground with 5 v 5, 6 v 6 and the competitiveness starts there. It's natural to us, we keep going until the referee blows the whistle."

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has said that the upcoming Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United could be crucial to deciding their top four prospects. United are currently just one point ahead of the Gunners for the final Champions League spot, but they also have Chelsea breathing down their necks with a two-point deficit with a game in hand.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said that the forthcoming league clash between Arsenal and Manchester United could have a detrimental effect on the top four hopes of one side, should they suffer a defeat, he said: "I think a lot of the top-four race goes down to this game on Sunday. That's why it's a massive football match, whoever loses won't be in the top four. But if Arsenal lose they've still got a chance in the Europa League. People are telling me Manchester United could go on and win the Champions League, I'm not sure about that."