Scotland arrange Austrian test

Perfect preparation
New manager Walter Smith believes the game – which will be played at a venue still to be confirmed - will give him the perfect opportunity to organise his side for the latter stages of the FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. "This game is necessary for the team to prepare before the final World Cup fixtures," said Smith, who replaced Berti Vogts in December. "I will get the squad together with these important ties in mind."

Double header
Scotland lie in fifth place in qualifying Group 5 with two points from three matches, and face Italy at home and Norway away at the start of September. The Italian Football Federation, meanwhile, confirmed today that Scotland's away fixture on 26 March would be played at AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano's home ground, the San Siro.