Steven Naismith calls on Scotland to fulfil potential

Steven Naismith believes it is time for Scotland to fulfil their potential as they prepare for their European Qualifier against the Republic of Ireland. Scotland, who are one point behind leaders Poland in Group D, have not reached the finals of a major tournament since the World Cup in France in 1998. They face Qatar on Friday as a warm up before their crunch fixture in Dublin on June 13, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, where a win would boost their qualifications hopes. Everton striker Naismith is confident the national team now have the players to deliver on recent promise and book their spot at next summer’s finals, again in France. He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I've been in squads with some great players and I’ve learned a lot from them but in terms of confidence, positivity and enthusiasm I’ve not had it much higher.

"That just comes to the fact that the quality of player in the full squad - the 20-25 guys that come along - is so high that the manager probably struggles every game to pick a starting 11. "That is what has progressed us well. We are a group of guys who get on really well and we’ve had the stage of our careers where there has been a lot of potential but now it is time to fulfil that potential and I think we have shown that.” 'Confident' Despite the fixture against the Republic of Ireland being billed as must-win, Naismith thinks every game in the Group is vital, especially against those at the top. "Everybody has said that it is the biggest game but that’s only because it is the next game and the group is so tight,” Naismith said. "Poland, Germany, Ireland and ourselves have all been fighting it out so the games we have got against each other, there will be a lot of eyes on us watching out for the results.

"But we’re confident with how we’ve done in the first half of the campaign and if we can continue that trend on then we’ll be close to getting to a qualification spot and that’s all we can do." The former Rangers striker knows how tough the trip to Dublin will be, but pointed to the side’s battling display during their previous 2-2 draw away in Poland as proof of their ability to handle the big games. He added: "We’ve shown in Poland that we were up against it at times in that game, we came from behind to get in front and at the end we were holding on for the draw but we did that. And that could become a massive point. "Like the Ireland game we go into, we know it is going to be tough but we’re confident. We’ve got good players who are comfortable on the ball, take the ball under pressure and create opportunities for each other." Watch Scotland v Qatar on Sky Sports 5 from 7.30pm on June 5 and then Republic of Ireland v Scotland on Sky Sports 1 from 4pm on June 13.

Jerry Collins will be remembered as an All Black great, says Sean Fitzpatrick

"For him and his wife to lose their lives at such a young age and to have their baby who was in the back seat in critical conditions is the worst news possible. “I first came across Jerry in 1999 where he was the player of the U19 World Cup – he was a man in a boy’s body. In 2000 I managed the New Zealand U21 team and he played in that team along with some if the guys who are still playing now. Tributes have been pouring in for former All Blacks captain Jerry Collins and his wife, after they were killed in a car crash in southern France “He was phenomenal – tough as nails on the field and as loving and caring off the field, he was a gentleman off the field but he was tough and uncompromising on the field, he was a great All Black. “I watched him develop with great pleasure. He became an All Black in 2000 and went on to wear the All Black jersey 48 times. I think he left the game a bit early in terms of international rugby after the 2007 World Cup, but he wore the jersey with great pride and epitomises everything an All Black could be. “He was big strong and very physical and he will be remembered very, very fondly.”

Former New Zealand rugby international Jerry Collins was killed on Friday along with his wife when a bus crashed into their car in southern France. Collins, 34, who was capped 48 times by the All Blacks, was near the town of Beziers when his car came to an unexplained stop on the A9 highway, before being hit by the bus. The couple were travelling with their two-month-old daughter, who survived the accident but is in a serious condition. Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick expressed his shock at hearing the news and said that Collins would be remembered as one of the All Black greats. “It is very tragic news and all our thoughts and condolences go out to his family," Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports News.

West Ham target Unai Emery has not signed new Sevilla deal

West Ham United's hopes of securing the services of Unai Emery are not over, according to Sky sources. It had been reported on Friday that Emery, who has also been attracting intetest from Napoli, had signed a new deal with Sevilla but Sky Sports News HQ understands that this is not the case. West Ham are hoping Emery, who flew to London earlier this week, will agree to replace former boss Sam Allardyce whose contract at Upton Park was not renewed at the end of the season. It was also reported that Emery turned down the chance to coach Napoli after their manager Rafa Benitez moved to Real Madrid earlier this week. Emery guided Seville back-to-back triumphs in the Europa League, the second success in Warsaw last week booking a ticket to the Champions League next season. Sky sources understand Emery held talks with West Ham on Wednesday. West Ham, who are moving to the Olympic Stadium in 2016, have also been linked with Croat Slaven Bilic and Marseille's Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa.