Great Scots help Dougie Freedman

Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman has been thrown in at the deep end at Selhurst Park but says he will keep the club in the Championship after taking advice from his fellow Scots in the Premier League.

The 36-year-old was appointed manager last month and got his first win on Saturday, a 1-0 victory at home to Middlesbrough, which came after he got some help from a few influential friends.

Freedman said: "In the Premier League there are a few Scottish managers who I can pick up the phone to. You go from the top, Alex Ferguson. There are a few like Kenny Dalglish who are willing to give me a hand."