George Burley has described Alan Hutton's latest injury setback as a "massive blow" for Scotland with the Tottenham full-back looking almost certain to miss a crucial World Cup qualifier against Holland in March after being ruled out for up to five months with a fracture in his right foot.
The 23-year-old made his international comeback in last week's friendly against Argentina, playing the full 90 minutes at Hampden Park. Hutton had also been back in action for Spurs for the last month after missing the start of the Premier League season with the same injury.
The return of one of his key players had been regarded as a major boost for the Scotland manager, who will now have to rethink his preparations for the visit to Amsterdam having taken just four points from their first three games.
"This is obviously very bad news for Alan, his club and for Scotland," said Burley. "When he was coming back from the injury the last time, we kept in touch with him throughout his rehabilitation and it was great to have him back for the Argentina match. It's a massive blow for us that he looks like he will need an operation. He's a big player for us and we wish him a speedy recovery."
Steven Whittaker is determined to hold on to his place in the Rangers team for this weekend's trip to Hearts. The Ibrox utility man admits, however, that he would be happier if he did not have to remain in the left-back position. The 24-year-old has filled the role in the last two weeks in the absence of the injured Sasa Papac, who is back in contention for the Premier League clash at Tynecastle. Whittaker, who can also play in midfield, is now hoping his versatility will work to his advantage and allow him to remain in Walter Smith's plans.
"With the strength of the squad it is taking a player to be injured for others to get their chance so when you are called upon you have to do your best," he said. "I have recovered from injury and I have kept my head down. I have now managed to play a couple of games in a row and hopefully I can go on a run now and manage to stay in the team. Playing left-back is a position I can fill in. It's not one of my favourite positions. I prefer to be on the other side of the pitch but I'm just happy to be in the starting XI."
Rangers head into the weekend action trailing Celtic by four points in the title race and well aware that any further slip-ups could prove costly. "Hearts are going well at the moment so we are expecting a tough game," said Whittaker. It's always difficult there and we will need to take our best game with us and hopefully come away with three points. Hearts gave us a tough game at Ibrox earlier this season and I'm sure it will be equally testing at Tynecastle. We played well the last time we were there. Hearts couldn't handle the pace we played at that day and hopefully it's the same this weekend."
Marseille's left-back Taye Taiwo, meanwhile, claims that Manchester City are one of a host of English clubs looking to sign him. The Nigeria international has been linked with a move away from Marseille all year and City, who are expected to spend extravagantly in the January transfer window, are believed to have been tracking the defender for a while.
He insists that he is happy at the Mediterranean side but claims he has been the subject of a number of inquiries, especially from English teams. "I know a lot of clubs, notably English ones, are following me," the 23-year-old said in L'Equipe. "Manchester City? Yes, that is a club who would like me, like other clubs I have heard about here and there. But once again, it is up to the directors at OM to decide. Me, I am very happy at Marseille."
Taiwo, who speaks English, was named the Young African Player of the Year in 2006. He joined Marseille in 2004 from Lobi Star and has scored some spectacular goals for the French club over the past four years.
