Football Talk: Charlie Adam was offside, Gareth Bale dived, Hercule Poirot

"Press one if you want to book a taxi from... Hampden Park."SNS Group

Draft eleven. Football Talk has been struggling to write an intro paragraph through its teary eyes and because whenever it types, it starts hammering the keys instead of softly gliding across the keyboard.

Scotland's defeat in Wales is still hard to take. Not because Gareth Bale dived, despite his best pal in the world ever Shaun Maloney defending him. Not because Steven Fletcher had a goal wrongly ruled out for the ball going behind from Charlie Adam's cross. Not because Adam was offside in the first place.

It's because Craig Levein's side were so ruddy useless in the second half and went down with a whimper in a game which required more interest from the Scotland players than a Wonga loan.

See, it happened again. Anytime Scotland are mentioned the emotion just pours out. Not to worry though, eh. Belgium on Tuesday night. All they have ever been good for is chocolate, Tintin, Hercule Poirot and fine, fine beer. And Eden Hazard. And Vincent Kompany. And £32m man Axel Witsel. And Jan Vertonghen. Oh.

Breathe. Here's a look at what's making the headlines in Scottish football today.

Allan McGregor: Poor decisions are costing Scotland points

The Scotland goalkeeper says that the latest refereeing mistake to hit Scotland is part of a trend.

Don Cowie called into Scotland squad as Scott Brown returns home

The Cardiff City midfielder has been drafted into the squad ahead of their trip to Belgium.

It’s hell as my last hope of playing in a World Cup vanishes

Kenny Miller had been sitting down for ten hours — the last thing he felt like doing was spending another 90 minutes on his rear. (Scottish Sun)

Belgian star Christian Benteke vows to kill off Scotland's World Cup hopes

The Aston Villa striker has said Belgium will not ease up when they face Craig Levein's men on Tuesday. (Daily Record)

Charles Green apologises to Aston Villa for gaffe

The Rangers chief has been forced into a grovelling apology for branding Aston Villa “completely useless”. (Scottish Sun)

Watt's Barcelona record can give Celtic Nou hope

Tony Watt has already scored twice against Barcelona on NextGen Series duty. Now the Celtic striker hopes for the chance to do the same in the Champions League. (Herald Scotland)

Sit back, relax and enjoy some fine fare in football writing.

A win tomorrow is the only thing that can save the Scotland manager

It's about crossing their fingers and hoping for the best now. Desperate times, desperate measures. (Michael Grant, Herald Scotland)

Some great video crashing into your life like Aldo Simoncini on Theo Walcott

Here is the aforementioned incident.

Dive.

Offside.

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