Asked if he was surprised by the reaction of the fans, Clarke said: “Yes and it disappointed me to be honest.

“It’s just the modern way, it seems to be now if you lose a game you get booed. You have just got to deal with it. It disappoints me.”

Scotland will face Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson on Tuesday night as further preparation for the World Cup group games against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil in the summer.

Clarke, who expects to make six or seven changes to the side on Merseyside, believes that playing top nations in warm-up games is crucial in order to show his players the level required in North America.

He said: “It not a game that you want to lose. But I think there’s enough in that game against the opposition we played against to still feel positive about what we’re trying to do.

“We have another really tough game on Tuesday night in Liverpool against Ivory Coast.

“Sometimes, I think my players look at me and say ‘come on gaffer what are you doing?’ I always try to pick difficult friendlies.

“So another difficult one on Tuesday night and we’ll try and get a positive result to carry it forward, but if the performance is as good and you can take things from the performance, you can also carry that forward as well.

“That’s why we take the games. This is where you have to be at. This is this is the level you have to reach and if you want to get the points that are going to get you out of the group stage, you have to play to that standard.”

Middlesborough striker Tommy Conway was handed his first start on Saturday while Andy Robertson earned his 91st cap to go second-equal with former Aberdeen and Manchester United goalkeeper Jim Leighton.

Japan, on their way to their eighth successive World Cup finals, survived an early fright as Scott McTominay’s shot from 10 yards was pushed on to the post by keeper Zion Suzuki.

Cambridgeshire is full of pretty places to walk, but everyone will have their own favourite

The weather is getting warmer, so it’s time to step outside for some lovely walks. Cambridgeshire is full of fields, parks, and other pretty places to go for a stroll.

As well as keeping people fit, walking outside and enjoying nature has proven to benefit people’s mental health. There are also places that have pretty sights, so they are the perfect place for photography-lovers.

However, with so many places to choose from, we want to know where is the best and most scenic place to walk. We want to hear from CambridgeshireLive readers where the best and most scenic place is to walk in the county.

You can share your views on where the place is in the poll below. You can also share your thoughts on why you have chosen that option as the best place to walk. If you cannot access the poll, you can also access it here.

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

Rats are more common in spring as it’s peak breeding season, and experts warn that storing certain items outdoors can attract the rodents to your garden. Here’s what you need to know

The prospect of rats infiltrating your garden is universally unwelcome, which is why identifying straightforward deterrent methods is crucial. What many don’t realise is that spring is actually one of the peak seasons for rats attempting to access people’s properties, as it coincides with their breeding period, meaning homeowners must remain alert.

This results in heightened activity around homes, which means you’re more likely to encounter them in your garden throughout April. However, keeping certain items outdoors can actually lure them in, meaning you must be mindful about what you store in your garden and how these things are put away.

Indeed, there are several things demanding your attention this spring. Rats could infiltrate your property quite easily if you leave particular items outside.

As spring sunshine begins to emerge, most of us will be making trips to the garden centre to purchase soil and compost, and frequently, those extra bags end up stashed beneath the decking to maintain a tidy patio.

It appears a perfectly logical solution but, according to Allan Jeffrey, gardening expert at Ultra Decking, it’s amongst the most frequent ways homeowners inadvertently welcome pests into their garden.

Whilst compost might be excellent for your flowerbeds, it’s also a magnet for rodents and insects, especially when it’s positioned in the dark, damp environment that exists beneath most decking. There are several reasons it’s so appealing to the wrong sort of visitors.

Compost bags are brimming with organic matter and retain moisture, creating precisely the sort of warm, damp conditions that rats and mice seek out when nesting season begins in spring. And it’s not only rodents you need to worry about.

Ants and soil-dwelling insects are attracted to identical conditions and, once they’ve established themselves near your decking or fencing, they can prove remarkably difficult to remove.

Once rats and mice take up residence, the issues tend to escalate. Allan explained: “Nesting rats are a big problem. Their numbers grow quickly, and they’ll soon start gnawing through garden structures like your decking, your fencing and that kind of damage doesn’t come cheap.”

Firewood is another potential hazard. “Those storing leftover winter logs under their decking are also at risk,” he continued. “Timber that’s picked up moisture over winter is the perfect hiding place for wood-boring insects, and that’s when the real damage starts.”

How to store your garden supplies

Allan suggests a simple strategy to keep pests away:

• Elevate and ventilate. Store compost bags and firewood on a raised platform at least one to two metres away from the house and any timber structures. Good airflow prevents moisture from building up and makes the spot far less appealing to pests.
• Switch to sealed bins. If you have little space, decant compost into heavy-duty plastic bins with clip-on lids. These are much harder for rodents and insects to get into.
• Do a 60-second check. Get a torch and take a quick look under your decking for early warning signs – shredded plastic, small entry holes or dark droppings. Catching things early is nearly always the difference between a quick tidy-up and a costly pest control call-out.

A touch of organisation now can prevent considerable trouble down the line, and ensures you can properly enjoy your garden this summer. If you suspect rats are nearby, get in touch with a pest control specialist for guidance.

Forensics: The Real CSI has returned for its sixth series, following West Midlands Police investigating serious crimes

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A true crime documentary series hailed as the “best programme” on television is set to broadcast another gripping instalment this evening.

Forensics: The Real CSI has made its return to BBC Two for a sixth series, immersing audiences in the real-time pressures facing a regional police force.

Working against the clock, the documentary follows West Midlands Police Force as they tackle serious offences, spotlighting the forensic analysis that assembles crucial evidence throughout investigations.

Audiences observe specialist officers advancing cases, frequently operating with minimal or non-existent leads. Packed with disorder and disturbing revelations, the documentary has been declared essential viewing for true crime enthusiasts.

READ MORE: True crime doc explores unsolved cold case as chilling plea issuedREAD MORE: ‘Heartbreaking’ true crime documentary on ITV is a ‘must watch’

This evening’s episode (Sunday, March 29) airs at 9pm, entitled Intruder in the Bedroom. It examines a distressing 999 emergency call placed by a worried mother whose daughter came home from her father’s residence with a deeply troubling disclosure, reports the Mirror.

A BBC synopsis states: “A mother calls 999. Her 11-year-old daughter has returned from staying at her dad’s house, saying that a stranger came into her bedroom in the night and sexually assaulted her.

“A forensic team immediately heads to the crime scene, and the house is examined for potential forensic evidence the suspect may have left behind.”

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Since returning to BBC Two this month, numerous viewers have proclaimed it the “best programme” on television, describing it as unmissable for true crime devotees.

One viewer remarked on X: “Now is this worth watching.” Another posted: “If you want a deeply depressing insight into the state of everything in the Uk watch #forensicstherealCSI on BBC.”

A third observed: “Shocking case #Forensicstherealcsi”, while a fourth stated: “I watched ‘Forensics the real CSI’ last night on BBC2 Absolutely shocking and horrific episode. Makes me never want to go out at night time alone ever again So frightening.”

On Facebook, one viewer declared: “I love this programme even better that 24hrs on police custody.” Another commented: “This is the best TV programme.”

Earlier this month, West Midlands Police had highlighted the disturbing series, prompting one viewer to note: “Just watched, truly disturbing.”

Forensics: The Real CSI will air tonight (March 29) on BBC Two at 9pm. Episodes are also available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Aberdeen City Council recently scrapped its fleet of 25 hydrogen-powered vehicles and did no cost comparison with cheaper electric buses.

A council is facing questions over its decision to spend million of pounds on hydrogen buses – three times more costly than electric vehicles.

Aberdeen City Council recently scrapped its fleet of 25 hydrogen double-deckers after they spent more than a year parked and unused in a depot due to a lack of fuel.

Experts said the £8.3million in taxpayer cash splashed on the city scheme – paid for by the Scottish Government, the council and European funds – has been a “scandalous” waste of money since launching five years ago.

Studies have found electric buses are up to three times cheaper to run than hydrogen.

Last year, the council admitted it held no data comparing costs between the hydrogen fleet, operated by First Aberdeen, and battery-electric buses.

Professor Tom Baxter, professor in chemical engineering at Strathclyde University, said: “As taxpayers we should be looking for value for money.

“Government and councils have an obligation to make sure they’re doing that when they’re using the public purse.

“It doesn’t look like it’s happened at all here.”

In a freedom of information request to Aberdeen City Council last spring, Prof Baxter had asked for “the original work that justified hydrogen buses over electric” and “any cost comparisons from the initial hydrogen decision to date”.

In response, the council said it did not hold this information, arguing they did not deliver bus services directly despite conceding its “involvement with purchasing of hydrogen buses”.

Prof Baxter told the Sunday Mail: “The council should have been on top of it and making sure it was on track, delivering what was expected and still looking like a value proposition to continue funding it.

“The council said they didn’t have information about comparison costs from First Bus. That speaks volumes to me about due diligence.

“It’s an appalling situation and a scandalous use of taxpayer’s money.”

We told last week of the collapse of the Aberdeen deal – linked to Tory donor Jo Bamford, son of JCB billionaire Lord Bamford, who runs hydrogen bus manufacturer Wrightbus which built the Aberdeen double-deckers.

We also revealed how taxpayers are on the hook for more than £54million in Scottish Government backing for hydrogen schemes across the country.

Aberdeen’s hydrogen strategy was a partnership between the city council and oil giant BP.

Critics say intense lobbying by fossil fuel interests have led to public money going on hydrogen schemes.

Typically, the fuel source used to create hydrogen is natural gas, with technologies to use green sources instead still in the early stages of development.

In 2022 we told how Bamford’s Wrightbus was behind the world’s first double decker powered by the gas, with the firm winning multi-million pound publicly funded contracts to supply vehicles across the UK.

In the years since, cities with hydrogen bus fleets like Dundee, London, Belfast, Birmingham and Liverpool have faced operational difficulties or dropped the schemes.

Aberdeen City Council said it is in discussions with BP about “the future viability of the hydrogen hub, prompted by significant advancements in electric vehicle (EV) technology”.

A spokeswoman added: “As manufacturers and operators increasingly favour EVs, demand for hydrogen in transport has diminished. In light of these developments, both parties are reassessing their strategic direction to align with the evolving market landscape.”

According to Robinson, therein lies the problem for Tuchel and England – Friday’s game played out more like a trial than a quest for “cohesion” and “team performance”.

“You got the impression watching the game that individuals were trying too hard in certain situations,” said Robinson. “They looked like a bunch of trialists trying to impress a manager to get through to the next stage of that trial.

“It really stunk of a performance of players who were playing for a place on the plane for self gain rather than team gain. It was a difficult watch at times.

“He created that atmosphere by naming that 35-man squad.

“You can’t dress it up any other way, Thomas Tuchel can say he’s looking at all these players, that we’re going to play this way, this is what we’re doing, it’s a team… that’s nonsense. It was an individual trial game.”

Tuchel, however, said he had “learned a lot” from the draw.

“You just see it in the details,” he added. “You learn a lot in the details, how is the behaviour and you see the level. I’m happy that we did it the way we did it.”

A revised 27-man squad is now preparing for Tuesday’s match against Japan at Wembley, with eight players due to leave the camp.

John Stones is returning to Manchester City having picked up an issue in training, while Arsenal trio Noni Madueke, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have also gone back to their club for medical assessment.

Adam Wharton, Aaron Ramsdale, Fikayo Tomori and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are the others to drop out.

Once that Japan game is out the way, England have two more friendly games against New Zealand on 6 June and Costa Rica on 10 June.

The World Cup gets under way 24 hours later.

Prisons can’t be left to become ­fiefdoms for organised crime gangs, says Mail Opinion.

Rife use of illegal phones and drugs in Scotland’s prisons, uncovered in today’s Sunday Mail, will appal many. Lags are using smartphones to post bragging videos on TikTok about their cushy lives, painting a picture of an anarchic, out-of-control prison system.

Shocking footage reveals cons at Shotts, Barlinnie and privately run Addiewell jails enjoying raves fuelled by high-potency cannabis resin ­products.

Others show prisoners gorging on Mars Bars and fizzy juice. None of these images should exist because prisoners aren’t supposed to have mobiles in the first place.

A disastrous Covid-era policy allowing cons to have phones was roundly abused, contributing to drug deals and violence, and jails are still dealing with the aftermath.

But just as concerning is the message these videos send to victims of crime. No one expects prisoners in the 21st century to live in dungeons but, at the end of the day, it’s a punishment… not a holiday.

What hope do these men have for rehabilitation if they’re allowed to smuggle drugs and phones into jails with impunity? Prisons can’t be left to become ­fiefdoms for organised crime gangs. Discipline must be restored.

Make them work for it

The Holyrood election show is officially on the road with ­politicians making pitstops this weekend looking for your vote.

Beware: at any point these budding MSPs might appear before you, ­chapping on your door and thrusting leaflets in your face. Expect the usual promises, bluster and cross-party sniping.

Yet this is a serious election for serious times. The Iran war threatens a new cost-of-living crisis and our public services are under real pressure.

Every five years we go through this rigmarole as the party leaders vow this and that, debate one another and do daft photo-ops all over the country.

At times, it seems like a circus but, actually, the power is with us now. We’ve got every right to demand better from our politicians. Whoever you’re voting for when polling day comes on May 7, make them earn it.

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The truth about this contest is if it wasn’t a World Cup year the entire thing would be largely irrelevant, but it’s deeply relevant because Scotland are on the clock now.

Time is ticking. Ivory Coast on Tuesday, Curacao on 30 May, a flight to America the next day, a final friendly in New Jersey in early June – and then the big show.

Scotland need momentum, they need to crash rather than limp into the World Cup, they need to hit the ground running. They had, and did, none of these things at the Euros in Germany. The power they had in qualification dissipated during the warm-up games. They arrived at the Euros searching for confidence and failed to find it.

That would have been one of the big takeaways from that tournament – the need to hold on to the energy and feelgood that got them there in the first place.

Scotland still have time to regain it before America. A rousing performance against Ivory Coast – ranked 35 in the world to Scotland’s 40 – in Liverpool and they’ll be where they want to be. After that, Curacao at home. A win against the world number 82 to send them on their way, surely?

Clarke’s team are becoming a bit of an enigma, a curiosity that’s hard to read. The performances rise and fall. It’s hard to get an angle on where they’re at.

Take their games in qualification. Tremendously resilient in Copenhagen in getting a goalless draw in round one, ultra professional in beating Belarus in round two.

Then, a bizarre 3-1 win at home to Greece on a night when the visitors were by far the better side, followed by a 2-1 win against Belarus that led to so many players, and Clarke, expressing disappointment in the most brutal and graphic terms. John McGinn described the pair of victories as “jobby” performances.

Next, to Greece. Losing 3-0 – it could have been been five had it not been for Craig Gordon’s heroics – Scotland rallied and eventually lost 3-2. They were heading for the play-off until Belarus did them the most enormous favour in Copenhagen.

So, a mix of bottle and luck got them to the big showdown against Denmark where sheer class and never-say-die took them the rest of the way. This Scotland team has many faces.

Saturday was a return to their reserved selves when, really, you wanted to see the warriors of November, or at least a version of them. All eyes on Tuesday night, then, and Scotland’s search for the intensity and vitality we know they have.

Clarke has promised six or seven changes. The new blood need to infuse Scotland with some verve. Now is not the time to go into their shell. Against Ivory Coast, they need to come out fighting.

The inflatable octopus, which was set to appear as part of a free Family Friendly Saturday event organised by York BID, was set to appear in King’s Staith with performances scheduled for 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.

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A spokesperson at the event told onlookers: “Sorry, it’s unsafe for our performer. It’s just too windy,” with the BID adding on their Instagram page that they were “so sorry” for the cancellation and any further updates would be shared to their stories.

Due to high winds, the tentacled puppet was moved to Tower Gardens with its 2pm show cancelled at the last minute because of the weather conditions.

The performance was unable to go ahead due to the high winds (Image: Alice Kavanagh)

The 4pm and 6pm are set to go ahead in the Coppergate Centre, according to an update from the York BID team.

The Giant Inflatable Octopus is York BID’s seventh Family Friendly Saturday, following six successful 2025 events that attracted thousands of families into the city centre for free early-evening experiences.