MEN’S FOOTBALL: Nearly a year after being sacked from the top job at Hearts, Stephen Naismith has been named Scotland’s assistant manager. 

The 38-year-old began his playing career at Kilmarnock before making over 400 appearances, including spells in the English Premier League at Norwich and Everton, winning 51 caps for the Scots. 

His only top-flight managerial experience was the 15 months he spent at Hearts.

MEN’S CRICKET: Amid the onslaught of The Hundred, the one-day cup continues on Friday as Gloucester put Group A’s only perfect record on the line against last year’s champions Glamorgan, who have yet to record a win. 

Second-placed Worcester are at Derby, it’s third against fourth when Hampshire host Leicestershire and bottom-of-the-table Essex continue their search for a first point of the season when they host Surrey.

HORSE RACING: Almost two weeks after the race ended, Ndaawi was finally confirmed as the winner of the Galway Hurdle, Ireland’s richest hurdle race. 

Helvic Dream had passed the post first but was relegated to second after the race-day stewards decided it had seriously impeded the runner-up. 

After a two-hour meeting on Wednesday, the appeals committee ruled that there had been major contact which affected the result.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: While Liverpool kick off the defence of their Premier League title against Bournemouth, Atherton Collieries host Prestwich Heys in an FA Cup preliminary round Greater Manchester derby at their Alder House ground. 

Tomorrow evening’s other fixtures see Christchurch up against Tadley Calleva, Epsom and Ewell play South Park, Lye Town take on Racing Club Warwick and Pickering Town face Easington Colliery, who reached the first round in 1955.