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Scotland: Sebastien Pocognoli’s reign began with a 0-0 draw with Slovenia yesterday afternoon. It’s a decent first result for Steve Clarke’s successor and gives Scotland a platform to build on before games against Switzerland and North Macedonia in Group B1. Ewan Murray was there to watch …

Blue skies, a dainty stadium in Ljubljana and a second-half display that provided glimpses of optimism in respect of Scotland’s world, post-Steve Clarke. The best-forgotten first 45 minutes can be explained away by a squad operating under a new regime. By full time, Slovenia were grateful for their point. Scotland’s players took deserved applause.

Scotland’s failing here was a familiar one. A lack of goals haunted Clarke. Nonetheless, this version of Scotland did at least create a series of openings. Scott McTominay, a key attacking threat, was missing. Instilling ruthlessness in a team is no easy task; it is one, however, Pocognoli has the coaching credentials to meet. Slovenia, on this evidence, have the more significant challenges.

DUP’s Gavin Robinson says loyalists have ‘steadfast determination’ to march on Catholic enclave in Portadown

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, at the scene of the counter-protest this morning also spoke alongside Mary Lou McDonald.

O’Neill said she had called on Northern Ireland secretary Chris Bryant to intervene.

She told reporters: “Does anybody think that this is a good idea? No right-minded person would make this decision.

“I still do not know the answer to this question - why, after 28 years of determination to block a march down this road, the Parades Commission thought that this was the right idea today to bring this mess back onto this community?”

Local MP Carla Lockhart, from the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party, posted this morning on X describing the marchers as a “dignified grouping of men, walking silently down Garvaghy Road”.

She included a photo of the small group in suits, wearing orange silk sashes and black bowler hats and carrying a banner.

“There is no threat, no triumphalism, not even music. There is nothing to fear. The rule of law must prevail,” she wrote.