Scotland and Ireland chase new managers

Today's Papers / Top Dog / 18 December 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales

Top Dog

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

• Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
• Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
• Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

At least Scotland and the Republic of Ireland are both carrying out the sort of 'root and branch' search for a new manager that the FA promised before they dashed off to Italy with their money bags. Mark McGhee is now favourite to get the Scots job after being recommended by Alex McLeish, but a man who is happy at Motherwell could be a good lay at [2.98]. Gary McAllister at [23] could be a lively outsider. Terry Venables is [3] favourite for the Irish, ahead of Liam Brady [3.8], but keep an eye on a return to the job for Mick McCarthy, whose odds have trimmed from 75 to [48].

Cruft's:

Daily Mail - It's a brave new world just like the previous six! - So he's finally here, and the papers are pretty predictable in their coverage of 'The Godfather' and the man with 'The Iron Fist'. The Mail cleverly goes through the library for a sound bite or two from previous England bosses on their first day, going back to Graham Taylor who talked of winning a World Cup but didn't even qualify.

Pedigree Chum:
The Sun -- Protect us from Gunners' dark arts - Mark Hughes says Arsene Wenger is a genius at putting pressure on referees. Now he wouldn't be doing the same thing, would he? Blackburn are [2.84] to beat Arsenal's virtual youth team in 90 minutes, [2.02] to qualify

Daily Express - Home boss will never reign again - Express columnist Alan Curbishley spells out the reality of talk of an English coach joining Capello's ranks. The same thing got said when Sven took over and look what happened. As West Ham's manager says it never got off the ground.

Daily Express - Ramos is setting sights on Hutton - Glasgow based Andy McInnes says Tottenham are lining up a £6million bid for Rangers defender Alan Hutton in the January window. Good news for Spurs who are [6.8] to make a late run for the top six and Europe. Bad news for Rangers who are [1.91] to make the most of their games in hand and go on to win the Clydesdale Bank Premier.

The Sun - Bryan to rob Roy - Headline has this story the wrong way round. It's actually Roy who will rob Bryan, because Sunderland boss Roy Keane is planning to hijack Sheffield United's bid for Gary Cahill. The Aston Villa defender has been crucial to United's improving form. They are an interesting [7] to sneak through and get promoted

Daily Star - Joe out to be Hart stopper - Sven might not have won on penalties with England but says his Manchester City players will be spot-on if the Carling Cup quarter-final with Spurs goes to a shoot-out. City are [1.81] favourites to reach the semi-final, and [2.46] to win in 90 minutes

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Mail - Russian Oil chief's bid to buy Birmingham - Carson Yeung's takeover is all but off and here comes news of another potential bid. But even Blues admit they've had no more than a tentative approach from billionaire Russian oil magnate Vagit Alekperov, made through a third party. Don't hold your breath.

Daily Mirror - United State of Anfield - The Mirror's headline suggests Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have told Rafa Benitez he can have cash to spend in the January window. Other papers say he's got to generate his own. Either way it leaves Liverpool's future uncertain and they are out to [4.2] a top two finish.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Terry crocked two months - Eboue did it on purpose claims Kalou - Godfather? He's more like Father Christmas - Ian Wright column - Rio: Nothing beats going to Anfield and winning - Sven wants to go to Wembley

Daily Express - Godfather - Terry ruled out for six weeks - Canny Capello's master stroke - Gallas won't gloat - Cech admits he's no excuses - Maloney battle for Villa role - Hughes wants refs to play fair

Daily Star - I'll put pride back in shirt - Terry's KO's for Fab date - You won't mess with the Godfather - Ferdi hails lionhearts - Gallas: I didn't want revenge - I'm to blame says Cech - Hughes on the Arsenal 'dark arts' - Heskey aims to be back in two weeks - Given plans to shut up shop

Daily Mirror - I will make you proud says Capello - Crocked Terry to miss debut - Fab's Boot Camp - He's the One - Flamini's £25k wage hike - Joey Barton on Newcastle's improved form

Daily Mail - The iron fist - Capello will be the opposite of McClaren - More Terry torment - Benitez told: Sell before you spend - Profile of Manchester City's Vedran Corluka - Hughes on Wenger's 'dark arts' - Suffering Saha hits back over injuries - Chris Coleman column.

Tags: John Terry, next Scotland manager betting, Premiership betting, Terry Venables