“We want to be pitting ourselves against the best, that’s what we’re doing. But the next step is to start getting these results and we’re desperate for them.”

McLean has been a mainstay of Scotland squads under Clarke, earning 44 caps, mainly as a replacement.

The 32-year-old did start both matches in September’s international window and feels he is in a strong position to keep pushing for a place in the side.

“I’ve always worked as hard as I can back at club level to be part of it and that’s all every player can do really,” he added. “I’ll keep doing as much as I can and I’ll always be as available as I can for the manager and then the decision is his.

“I don’t want to here just because I’ve been here in the past. I want to continue to do as well as I can for Norwich and then hopefully it keeps me and the manager’s plans for as long as possible.”

England interim manager Lee Carsley says John Stones “deserves” to be picked as captain for the Nations League match against Greece at Wembley, with regular skipper Harry Kane not fit to start.

READ MORE: England captain Kane not fit to start against Greece

Ranger’s promising career was almost over before it had even started.

He signed for Crystal Palace at the age of 10 but was released two years later for bad behaviour at school.

Aged 15, he was sentenced to 11 weeks in a young offenders’ institute for his part in an armed robbery in north London.

“We weren’t going around shooting or stabbing people,” he says. “We wanted to get some quick money so we said ‘let’s just take phones off people’.

“One of our entourage had a knife but I don’t know why because he wasn’t using it. We were acting like idiots.”

There is regret for the hurt he caused.

“Armed robbery is terrible. I wasn’t wanting to hurt them,” adds Ranger. “I was just thinking about getting the goods and running off.

“Now I’m older I do think I must have caused people trauma. At times I was a lunatic. I don’t know what else to call it.”

Ranger was a highly-promising £110-a-week player at Southampton’s academy when he was sentenced but the club supported him following his release and moved him into a flat with his mum, Karen, so she could keep an eye on him.

“My mum has had to come to meetings at every club I have been at to discuss my behaviour,” he says. “It’s been like that since my schooldays.”

Ranger was eventually kicked out of Southampton when he stole boots, training kit and even a staff member’s box of chocolates.

Where was his dad when all this was happening?

“He was around but I lived with my mum. Dad was in my life but what is he going to do? Punch me in the face? He could only speak to me.

“I’m my own man and he used to try to talk sense into me but I just didn’t listen.”

Ranger joined Swindon Town on trial before Newcastle came calling with a two-year contract and a £20,000 signing-on fee.

The 17-year-old headed to the north east hoping to put his troubled past behind him and make a name for himself playing alongside the likes of Fabricio Coloccini, Andy Carroll and Alan Smith.

“I went from nothing to something,” he says.

Biggleswade have come through five matches for the chance to take on York, whose FA Cup pedigree includes a run all the way to the semi-finals in 1955.

Incredibly, eighth-tier Biggleswade saw off Canvey Island 1-0 in the previous round despite finishing the game with only nine men on the pitch after Michael Fisher and Charlie Hayford had been sent off.

“I got through it by praying,” said Northfield.

“For 20 minutes we weren’t very good, we struggled to get a foothold, and weirdly enough, the sending-off (of Fisher) got us playing how I wanted us to play.

“We stayed positive, got on the front foot, created one or two openings and then scored our goal from a great header from Lawrie Marsh late in the half.

“Second half, I felt we were matching a lot of what they did although obviously we had to defend an awful lot of balls into our box. You just block up holes, block up the angles and keep it in front of you.

“George Rose in goal made two or three unreal saves, one with his feet. Charlie Hayford, the second player to be sent off, cleared one off the line. Last five minutes we went to a 4-4-0 and it’s just a big rearguard action.”

Fisher will miss the game against York after his red-card appeal was turned down, but Hayford can play as he only received a one-match ban for two yellows against Canvey Island.

Bradley was offered the chance to shine by Klopp last season, and he says he is ready to take the next step under Slot, who replaced the German in the summer.

“They are two different people but I have really enjoyed working under the new gaffer,” he added.

“I’ve learnt a lot from him and it’s been really good. Long may that continue.

“I’m still young, I’m only 21. I know I’m not the complete player and I still have loads of places I can improve.

“As long as I keep working hard, in the gym and on the pitch every day, I can only get better and hopefully I’ll continue to do that.”

Bradley is ambitious, and that is something that is no secret. Despite Trent Alexander-Arnold being ahead of him in the pecking order at Anfield, he says his “ultimate aim” is to be a regular starter under Slot.

“I want to be playing week in, week out for Liverpool,” he said.

“I know I have a tough challenge ahead of me but I want to give my all every day and see where that takes me.”

Dani Cuesta/X

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Who is Peter Lim?

Former Republic of Ireland striker Stephanie Zambra has announced her retirement from football.

The 35-year-old won 58 Republic of Ireland caps and scored 14 international goals.

Under her maiden name Roche, she went viral in 2013 after scoring a superb goal for Peamount United against Wexford Youths.

The goal, which saw her twice flick the ball before volleying it into the top corner, saw her finish second in the Puskas Award the following year behind Colombia’s James Rodriguez.

After featuring for a number of clubs in the Republic of Ireland, Zambra had stints with ASPTT Albi in France, Houston Dash in the USA, Sunderland and Fiorentina.

She returned home in 2020 with Peamount and signed for Shamrock Rovers in 2022.

Her final match will be Shamrock Rovers’ final league game of the season against Shelbourne on Saturday.

“From kicking a ball around the streets of Shanganagh Cliffs to scoring goals for my country, I can truly say that football has given me enough memories to last a lifetime,” Zambra posted on social media.

“I hope that I’ve been able to inspire girls and show that dreams can come true with a bit of luck, lot of persistence and the self belief that you are good enough to become the best version of yourself.”

Manchester United prepare a move for Randal Kolo Muani, Real Madrid are targeting Arsenal’s William Saliba, while Chelsea remain interested in Victor Osimhen.

Manchester United have prepared a £58.6m offer for Paris St-Germain’s 25-year-old France forward Randal Kolo Muani. (Fichajes, via Teamtalk), external

Real Madrid want to sign Arsenal and France defender William Saliba as a “top priority” in 2025, with Los Blancos already in contact with the 23-year-old. (Le 10 Sport – in French), external

Galatasaray will look to make Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen’s loan move from Napoli permanent, while Chelsea remain interested. However, the 25-year-old will cost £68m in January or £63m next summer. (Corriere dello Sport – in Italian), external

Manchester City are considering Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, 25, as a replacement for Ederson, but the Portugal stopper will cost £63m. (Caught Offside), external

Manchester United have made Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, 27, a top target for January. (Teamtalk, external)

Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi has reiterated his desire to stay at Real Sociedad despite speculation of interest from Manchester City. (Mirror), external

Crystal Palace will step up their pursuit of Hammarby’s 18-year-old Ivorian forward Bazoumana Toure, who is also of interest to Manchester United and Celtic. (Give Me Sport) , external

Arsenal will still target a striker in the January transfer window, despite the promising start to the season made by Germany forward Kai Havertz, 25. (Football Insider), external

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, 33, is next in line for a new contract after the club secured the long-term future of France centre-back Ibrahima Konate, 25. (Teamtalk, external)

Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle United are all interested in Aston Villa’s 23-year-old England youth midfielder Jacob Ramsey. (Give Me Sport), external

Newcastle might sell England striker Callum Wilson, 32, in January to facilitate a move for a new forward. (Football Insider), external

Marseille are in advanced talks to sign France midfielder Paul Pogba, 31, who can play again from March after a four-year ban for a doping offence was reduced to 18 months. (Mirror), external

Pogba will have his Juventus contract terminated following his doping ban. (Fabrizio Romano), external