Sammy McIlroy, the Northern Ireland manager, will continue with his wide-man policy for tonight's friendly against Malta at the Ta'Quali stadium, with Keith Gillespie and Michael Hughes working the flanks.

The Irish, depleted by the withdrawals through injury of Gerry Taggert, Jim Magilton, Aaron Hughes and Peter Kennedy, are anxious to win to boost morale.

Scotland captain Colin Hendry will not be following former Blackburn team-mate Alan Shearer into international retirement - and no-one will be happier than coach Craig Brown. The 34-year-old Coventry defender leads his country into action against world champions France at Hampden Park tomorrow, seeing the 2002 World Cup as a suitable swansong.

Celtic were last night reluctant to be drawn on the question of who will be their next head coach at the beginning of a week in which Kenny Dalglish has promised firm answers.

Speaking after Sunday's Old Firm game, Dalglish admitted that by saying he will decide on the vacant post at the end of March, he was paving the way for much speculation.

He did not have long to wait as the name of former German national coach Berti Vogts reentered the list of candidates after it emerged he is flying to Glasgow tomorrow - although it is understood that his visit is unrelated to the Parkhead outfit and he will be there purely to watch the Scots take on France.

Vogts' advisors approached Celtic several weeks ago informing the club of his availability but at the time Dalglish signalled that was the start and end of the matter.

Australia coach Frank Farina is not expecting Leeds star Harry Kewell to announce his retirement from international football this week, but Farina admitted Kewell might be excused from the side to face the Czech Republic tomorrow.

Speculation has been rife that the 21-year-old forward was ready to commit himself to club football for the rest of his career, but Farina expects no such decision.