Hearts, who host Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League tomorrow night, confirmed yesterday that they have settled a tax debt after being threatened with administration by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

For the first time since Raith Rovers had Bayern Munich on the ropes at the Olympic Stadium 15 years ago, the Old Firm will be overshadowed in Scotland when European week comes around after Hearts drew Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League play-off round.

Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov called his critics "fools and idiots" yesterday in defending his decision to remove Jim Jefferies as manager after he rejected Romanov's offer to become director of football, and put in Paulo Sergio instead.

Hearts have appointed former Sporting Lisbon coach Paulo Sergio as their new manager after a chaotic 24 hours at the club.

Hearts are in turmoil once again after it was confirmed last night that manager Jim Jefferies was no longer in charge at the club.

Dundee United defeated Hearts 1-0 at Tynecastle in the Scottish Premier League yesterday in an absorbing contest that was settled when Jon Daly nodded in Willo Flood's 38th-minute corner.

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has welcomed an apology from the BBC after being "appalled" by the editing of his pre-match media conference during Friday's national evening news programme.

It is one of the lingering images of last season: Ally McCoist and Neil Lennon confronting each other on the touchline at Celtic Park.

Lee Wallace is close to a move from Hearts to Rangers after a fee of £1.5m was agreed between the two clubs.

Stoke's first Europa League tie will see them face Croatian giants Hajduk Split in the third qualifying round.

With Hearts & Arrows, Danny Wilson's band graduates from being country-rock manqués obsessed with Neil Young and The Byrds to a more eclectic outfit now looking, in the opening "Ghosts In The Wire" and ebullient "Soul In The City", to take on the muscular heartland rock'n'roll yearning of Bruce Springsteen.

Defender Craig Thomson is to leave Hearts, the Scottish Premier League club confirmed yesterday. The 20-year-old was suspended last month following a conviction for "lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour".