FOOTBALL : SOCCER SHORTS.

GER NOT ON

SCOTLAND fans face a ticket scramble for the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier in Germany.

The German FA have allocated the Tartan Army just 6000 tickets for the showdown in Dortmund.

And they have issued a warning for Scots tempted to try and buy briefs for the home end that they will NOT be allowed to purchase them.

A German FA spokesman said: "We have offered Scotland 10 per cent of the Westfalenstadion's capacity as required by UEFA.

"Tickets are only available in Germany over the phone and anyone with a Scottish address will be told to contact their own FA."

CAL RETURN

SCOTLAND defender Stephen Caldwell is set to perform an amazing U-turn by signing a new deal at Newcastle United.

The 22-year-old appeared to be on the verge of moving to Sporting Lisbon earlier this month.

However, interest from the Portuguese giants has cooled and Caldwell said: "Newcastle still want me to renew my contract and I am considering it."

It would be a real change of mind for the Scot who had described United's one-year deal offer as insulting.

AYR FAN PLAN

AYR UNITED fans are poised for a bigger say in the running of the club after forming a Supporters Trust.

Spokesman Donald McNeill said: "Ayr's attendances are currently below 2000 but last year we took 12,000 to Hampden.

"There is a lot of latent support locally and I believe it's time to bring together the club's potential and the Ayrshire community for mutual benefit."

LOOK NORTH

ENGLISH minnows Hartlepool United are set to conduct interviews for their vacant manager's job in Aberdeen!

Former Scotland stars Richard Gough and Eddie Gray have been linked to the job, which became available after former Aberdeen striker Mike Newell was sacked.

Now the club have revealed they have received so many applicants from the north of Scotland that chairman Ken Hodcroft will travel to Aberdeen to interview candidates.

PETE PLEDGE

PETER RIDSDALE has promised to learn from his mistakes at Leeds and perform a rescue act at Barnsley.

The former Elland Road chairman is poised to assume the chairmanship of the Second Division Tykes, who are in administration.

Ridsdale said: "We made mistakes on investment at Leeds. Hopefully I can learn the lessons and do a good job somewhere else."

TREBLE PORT

PORTO beat Leiria 1-0 in yesterday's Portuguese Cup Final to add to their dometic league title and UEFA Cup Final triumph over Celtic.

Porto dominated and Brazilian striker Vanderlei Silva scored the winner from Deco's pass in 64 minutes.