Scotland pick up the bill for McAllister's injury

The Scottish Football Association's insurance brokers are to pay Gary McAllister's wages until he is fit again following the Leeds United midfield player's injury against Sweden on Wednesday night in Stockholm.

The Scotland captain was taken off on a stretcher after suffering ligament damage in the 57th minute of the 2-0 defeat and will miss the Premiership match with Arsenal tomorrow and theUefa Cup second round, first leg match against PSV Eindhoven at Elland Road on Tuesday.

It left the Leeds manager, Howard Wilkinson, angry over the release of internationals. "I had an agreement with Craig Brown and the player that, if Gary wasn't fit he wouldn't play, and if he was fit he would only turn out for part of the game. Yet he was carried off after nearly an hour.

"As far as international football is concerned, in all my years as a manager I have always co-operated 100 per cent but this makes me rethink my policy, not only concerning Scotland but in general."

But Brown said: "I'm desperately disappointed that this has happened and sincerely hope it it will not impair our relationship with Leeds or mine with Howard Wilkinson.''

Russia's European victory over Greece means Scotland will be second in Group Eight and almost certain of qualifying for the European Championship.