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Planning To Fail? Failure To Plan-Scottish International Football

Rebus doesn’t think we have to look very far to find an answer to the two decade failure of Scottish international football 
Scotland’s latest failure to qualify for a major tournament has resulted in the usual cries for the manager to be changed. His comments that “genetics” contributed to our failure to win against Slovenia are both bizarre and fail to capture the real reasons for our demise.
To put it simply, Scotland continue to fail because they have no plan to succeed. We shall continue to underachieve because other nations do have plans to succeed. For small nations these plans have to be long term in nature and also have to involve cooperation across several sectors of society. Football is too important to be left solely in the hands of football authorities! However, it is those authorities that have to initiate the required change. We need a visionary within the SFA to initiate change; to be the product champion for the innovation that is needed in our game.

Does anyone see one amongst the current personnel of either the SFA or the SPFL?
The longest journey begins with the first step. The first step here is to examine the success stories of other nations. Take Belgium as an example. Much of the following comes from an article in the Guardian from June 1, 2014 by Stuart James.
Belgium has approximately twice the population of Scotland and has 34 clubs organised into two leagues. Immediately you can see an issue. There are simply too many professional clubs in Scotland chasing a smaller number of supporters. However, let’s return to the Belgian example. By the mid nineties the Belgian FA realised that their sport needed a radical shakeup if the performance of the national team was to improve. The main architect for change was the technical director of football. Do we have such a position in the SFA? Who is he and what does he do?
Step 1 of the transformation was to pool knowledge. Thirty coaches were brought together to discuss a radical change in approach. This group were given access to information collected from the most successful countries in Europe together with top performing clubs in the CL. The variety of playing systems used by these countries/clubs were discussed by the group and it was decided that 4-3-3 gave Belgium the best chance of success.

Next the skills required to play this system were examined and benchmarked against the skills being taught to youth players in the country. It was determined that the existing youth development systems were not providing appropriate skills to play 4-3-3 successfully. In particular, youth players did not have sufficient dribbling skills to implement the system.
Step 2 involved investing money in youth development.

This involved the following:
A national development centre built;
Free courses were offered to existing and future coaches;
Universities and colleges were encouraged to research the game. Some were commissioned to do so.
An audit was conducted of all youth systems at club level and report prepared.
Step 3 involved a commissioned study by the University of Louvain to film and study 1500 youth matches. This study provided conclusive evidence of what was wrong with the youth game. For example, matches involving under 8 and under 9 year olds revealed that players touched the ball only twice in half an hour. Confidence on the ball was sadly lacking. Similarly, kids did not know how to use the ball effectively. As a result of this, a strategy was devised that would address these problems. It was decided that 2 vs 2; 5 vs 5, and 8 vs 8 contests were the best way to develop skills in young players to prepare them to play 4-3-3.
Step 4 involved the established of special schools for the best young players to attend for two hours per day for 4 mornings a week. Some of the professional clubs send their best players there. Lukaku is a product of this system.
There is no doubt that the Belgian plan was successful. It has produced the so called “golden generation” of Lukaku, Hazzard, etc. I suspect that the Belgian success is not tied exclusively to this plan but to the fact that they had a plan and an individual who implemented the plan. Also I am not saying that what the Belgians did is the blueprint for making Scotland more successful. I am, however, saying that the process of devising a customised plan is the way forward for our national game. Other nations such as France, Spain, Portugal devised long term plans to put their nations at or near the top of the rankings. In addition to improving performance at the national level, these efforts also enhanced the reputations of their respective leagues….something that nowadays is linked to TV revenue.

If we do not start the process now, we can look forward to being pushed aside by nations such as Lithuania, Slovakia Georgia and Slovenia.
Does the SFA have the vision to devise a plan such as the above, or is it content to replace the manager and continue the cycle of failure?

Does it have a visionary to initiate the planning process?

 

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Frank
6 years ago

Radio Scotland had an interview on Saturday afternoon with a Belgian journalist, Sven Claes, who mirrored the above comments. He noted that the whole league agree to now play a 4-2-3-1 formation in all games with the aim of improving the national team performance.

Broxburnbhoy
6 years ago

The Belgiums and others are working rationally. With common sense and a collective purpose. Here we have the system that works to preserve a dead club to the exclusion of any other plan. The reasoning is like this – if “rangers” can be challengers then everything else will be all right. This is pure fantasy and that is the path the SFA are on with the SPFL. If they addressed that – let Sevco die and had rations discussions about a collective future we might see improvement over time. With their focus trying to defend illegally won honors and pretending the liquidate club is the new Club there is no chance of advance

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Broxburnbhoy

Ban all compute gems in school. Get the weans oot the classroom on a winter morn. Sleet preferably. Straight onti a red ash park. Middle of December. Mitre baw skelepd hard against yer coupen afore kick off. 15 a-side. Got ti win by 2. First ti 21.

Fixed.

CarlJungleBhoy
6 years ago

Good stuff Rebus. Setting aside the fact that those running the SFA are not fit for purpose and should be, erm, set aside permanently, I can’t help thinking there are enough good young Scottish players around to start building for future qualifications now….

Not sure if there are any young centre-backs good enough for International level yet (although I’m sure KT could do a job if asked), but there’s a core of a decent team with these in it..

Ralston, Tierney, Robertson, McGregor, Armstrong, McGinn, (Gilmour?) Christie, Atchinson ….. ???

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

Gilmour? He’s too wee

Monti
6 years ago

Holland didn’t qualify for the last European Championships and unless a 7-0 miracle happens v Sweden tonight in Amsterdam, they won’t be at the World cup!
This is Holland we are talking about!

I think we need to ease up on Scotland a little, the reality is we went out on goal difference to Slovakia, one bad result v Lithuania cost us, even if we held on v England at Hampden, we would have made the play offs.
Slovenia aren’t a bad side ffs.
I believe if Brown and Armstrong had been available to the manager, we would be in the play offs.
We were unlucky this time, not poor, not shite but unlucky.
Get behind the manager, the players and YOUR country…..our day will come again!

Rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

The point is that Scotland consistently fails. The other countries you mention fail occasionally.

You do not solve a problem unless you first acknowledge that it exists! There is a problem…has been for years. Let’s start a process to fix it….that is standing up for your country.

The result against Lithuania just emphasises that there is a severe problem.

Rebus

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Luxembourg drew in France during this qualifying campaign.
A bad result can happen.

CarlJungleBhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Can’t agree Scotland/Strachan were unlucky- They were also 2 very late winners away from finishing nowhere near a play off place.

I think WGS had rode his luck until then, especially with his choice of team & substitutions, but his luck finally ran out in Slovenia.

If he hadn’t been so fecking stubborn he would have seen what 99% of us saw even before the equaliser – that the midfield had lost it & Griffiths was too isolated up-front. If he’d acted pro-actively with positive subs with a bit of pace – e.g McGregor & Forrest – instead of sticking to the slowest midfield trio in world football, they could well have won the game. – if Brendan Rodgers had been in charge, no way would they have thrown away a 1-0 half time lead that easily – so it’s as much down to Wee Ginger Shite’s poor tactics & team selection than anything else IMHO

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  CarlJungleBhoy

Carl, in the words and voice of Walter Sobchak ” i’m right and you’re wrong dude “

maryhillbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti I agree that we were unlucky to lose Brown and Armstrong but the way we reacted to that in terms of personnel and tactics was not unlucky it was pish poor management, this has to be seen as outwith the longer term strategic issues highlighted above.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

Maryhillbhoy,
To be fair i have said on a few occasions now,that Strachan got the line up and tactics wrong on sunday.
That IS a concern that shouldn’t be ignored, but all this restructuring everything isn’t the way ahead.
Strachan had ONE bad result in the entire campaign.
Nae cunt was shouting for his head before sunday i notice.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

That is pure mince, he got the beginning of the campaign totally wrong, showing loyalty to empty jerseys, it is only when Broony got the Scottish players involved that the tide turned for the better and most folk couldny give a monkeys fuck before that, cos the team selection was..PISH.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

PISH

ROB O'KEEFFE
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Patience, it’s only been 20 years. Look at poor Hibs… Worth the wait though, magic day..

Monti
6 years ago

Strachan is right, we need to match up tall Scottish males and females, then get some serious shagging done.
Get the Barry White cd on…..

Rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

No argument there!

I remember a farmer’s daughter in St Andrews……Aah!

Rebus

CarlJungleBhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

…. and yer platform shoes, shorty 🙂

ROB O'KEEFFE
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Test tubes could be the way forward for Scotchland…

mike
6 years ago

Good read Rebus,

But the first step is to remove Regan and the current board of conflicted personnel and bring in complete transparency. It hardly ever occurs to supporters that its just not the football manager but the C.O. and his board that they buck stops with, their appointment, their responsibility.
I agree with your thesis but they have been talking of reviewing Scottish fitba. for 30 years and…yet here we still are.
Step two. Must be getting rid of the white elephant that is Hampden why pay £350,000 a year for the Queens Park ground, build modern up to date offices and training facilities and rent the ones that are in situ. until the new offices and facilities are ready.
Step three, Appoint a director of fitba. who has knowledge of and can give advice on installing the proper training techniques to the younger players, build the team around the best of those young players and stick to the best formulas available.
Most supporters would be happy to wait if they were kept informed of what is happening long term and then tell the Scottish press to GTF. They are a bunch of negative twats.

mike
6 years ago

Post gone awol just like Willie Johnstone.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Thank fuck

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It was a great post, lucid, lengthy, logical and full of…pros.
No that kind, in case you were wondering.

6 years ago

Great to see the Republic getting a win against the Welsh.Same Old Same Old with Regan n Co’s Scotland.Thank God theyre done,Atleast Celtic can look ahead with no worries regarding players getting injured playing for this Corrupt Association.It really is a disgrace how Regan and the rest of the vermin are Still at Hampden.Mon The Republic

charlie
6 years ago

aye but but wit aboot genetics get big guys tae fuck and impregnate big lassies ffs you no it makes sense

charlie
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

ime no very big but ive got a big boaby and ime willin tae go oan a stretchin machine if need be

ROB O'KEEFFE
6 years ago
Reply to  charlie

I thought young girls read this site?…

Cartvale88
6 years ago

The Scottish system is corrupt to the core with their fancy handshakes and jobs for the boys. Why have an SFA and the SPFL jobs for morons creation scheme.
For years Scottish football has had the shadow of the Zombies hanging over them.
Why waste money on Hampden, owned by Queens Park, not fit for purpose
The only way forward is for an outside source grabbing them by the neck and giving them a good shake, doubt if that will happen

TimBhoy
6 years ago

Interesting article. The Dutch adopted such a system in the 1960s and have used the 433 system for decades. Ruud Gullit made the point in his book (How to watch football) that 433 has been taught from school level up to professional and international level. This brought success in the 70s, but they now lack the flexibility and club and international level to adapt to different formations and now get found out by teams who know how to beat the 433.

The French went to see Doctor Jo to see how the Czechs became successful and then built the football machine that has been streaming world class talent out of the French system for the past 20+ years.

My only interest is Celtic and we finally seem to be reaping the benefits of having a strategy in place where young talent is actually given the opportunity in the first team. Previous managers have not been willing to give untried talent the opportunity – Brendan has the eye and courage to give guys like Ralston, Miller, et.al. the opportunity.

Celtic appear to adopting the role that the SFA should be playing in developing young players. While they may not make it at Celtic, they are succeeding elsewhere.

My strategy for dealing with Sevco is to ignore them (I love Espanyolification that is taking place) while supporting demands for an Enquiry and full disclosure. Long may Pedro and King continue to reign:)

Rebus67
6 years ago

I don’t completely rely on history but gone are the days when every EPL team had a key player who was Scottish….long gone!

Look at the key transfers from the Scottish league to the EPL recently. Most if not all, are foreign players from Celtic. Wanyama, VVD, Foster.

It shows we are not producing enough international class players.

Rebus

Monti
6 years ago

Rebus,
Apart from Gylfi Sigurdsson, where are the big money Icelandic players?
Yet they are achieving.

Rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

There are many reasons for the Icelandic success. Firstly, they have a plan for youth development. This plan is supported from the government down through the FA, through the schools and colleges. Prior to the financial collapse, Iceland had more money than it knew how to handle. Couple this with a growing interest in football. A lot of cash was poured into youth development and we are now seeing the fruits of that in the national team. In addition, Iceland finances international travel for its coaches to both observe I elandic players abroad and to learn training methods. Our own BR hosted some of these at Reading.
They have also adopted a system that suits the limitations of their players….a MON like approach. Big CBs and big CFs, get the ball up front quickly and catch the opposition by surprise. In short, Icelandic success is the result of cateful, long term planning. It is not pure chance.

I do not understand what your concerns are……do you not think it is a good idea to plan?

Rebus

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Rebus,
I honestly think we were unlucky to miss out on the play offs, for all our so called ills, we lost out on goal difference, we were close.
As i said earlier, the loss of Brown in particular was a huge blow, it’s fine margins.
We have tried think tanks and other complete waste of energy, time and funds on this, what we need is more Scottish players playing in high level matches regularly, playing in Europe regularly and playing for their club sides regularly.
I don’t think we need drastic surgery with the national side, if your players are playing at a high level, they will then be able to cope with international football.

maryhillbhoy
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti ffs surely your are reinforcing the need to replace the manager with a number of your points.
1 We were close therefore qualification was not impossible, it came down to a small number of managerial decisions.
2 The highest level of football for European players is Champions League. On Sunday 2 players with current CL experience were omitted for lower EPL or Championship players.
3A number of players Robertson Marti, Anya, Mcarthur played despite being short on match time for their clubs.
In light of all this the manager clearly has a case to answer

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

No i want Strachan to stay….unless a world beater becomes available an wants it.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  maryhillbhoy

Maryhillbhoy,
If we take you didn’t want Robertson to start and Tierney at left back, who would you have played at RB?
Bearing in mind Robertson is supremely fit ( like myself ) and his lack of game time not as much of an issue as you say.

Mike Bhoyle
6 years ago

As my mate’s dad used to say…
“You can only pee wi’ the cock you’ve got.”
Well…WGS managed to fuck that up.
Here was an opportunity to pick young, talented, enthusiastic players who would run their heart out to prove their worth.
By playing Philips…Bannan…and McCarthur…to name but three…
he showed that he was stubborn…pig headed…selfish..and GIRUY was his attitude…Nobody tells me what to do.
These 3 were pitiful…and he sat and watched…like the rest of us…as they contributed virtually fuck all to the cause.
How anyone can defend him is beyond me…he’s an arrogant wee prick
and if he’s kept on…we are well and truly fucked.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Bhoyle

Mike Bhoyle,
That’s out of order, a man who did a lot for Celtic doesn’t deserve that!

Mike Bhoyle
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Having an opinion is out of order…?
When did that happen….?
Oh let me guess….
and for someone who insults people at the drop of a hat…
People…glass houses….and stones spring to mind.
But tell me…
What part of my post is inaccurate….?

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Bhoyle

MB,
” He’s an arrogant wee prick ”
And yu can get tae fuck with your ” not allowed an opinion ” shite.
If you are going to attackthe guy, i’ll fucking defend him.
Ok friendo

Mike Bhoyle
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

That reply sums you up perfectly…
and is the main reason I don’t post on here very often….
You’re an angry man…with a WGS complex.
Everybody’s wrang but you…
You’ll also be pleased to hear…
It will be the last time I post on here.
So away and piss somebody else off…
OK friendo…??

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

PMSL

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Mike Bhoyle,
You are right about one thing……everybody else is wrong 🙂

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It’s a bit harsh to say you don’t post often on here because of me? Fuck sake.
No need for that i’m afraid.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Bhoyle

I agree with all of that, but my missing post said that we must clear out the whole of the SFA and then…complete transparency.
We must cancel the lease on Hampdump..£350k per annum and start in new offices and modern facilities.
Then bring in a new Director of fitba.
Build the team around youth and stick to a formation that works for..us.
We have been going to change things for 30 years and yet…
Only by fundamental change will we ever be able to achieve any sense of basic coaching and that change starts with the clear out of everyone at the SFA after all its not just the manager who has to accept responsibility.

Rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Mike,

Agree totally!

It seems to me that common elements of successful plans to develop youth in small countries are cooperation amongst sectors of society….government, education, FA etc. AND an outward looking perspective by the FA.

Think about where Scotland is on these dimensions.

Rebus

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Rebus67

Yes Rebus, and there is plenty of great facilities that we could rent for a couple of years till new ones were built.
Have a plan, but build that plan and look at other countries model’s and utilise the one that is best for Scotland, do it do not just talk about it. But first..the clear-out.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Hampden is the home of Scottish football…always has been!

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

” we must clear out the whole of the SFA “?
Go on then, how to do that is?

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

That in a nutshell is the first thing that needs to happen M. If not we will forever be has beens and never likely to qualify for another major tournament.
Strachan sat and watched that shite the other day and failed miserably. He is part of the problem, but by no means the root.

ROB O'KEEFFE
6 years ago
Reply to  Mike Bhoyle

Spot on…

portpower
6 years ago

Farewell

jimmybee
6 years ago

Good points made Rebus.
A complete overhaul is required starting with the premiership. It is sucking the lifeblood out of clubs and supporters.
I do not know any supporter who wishes for the league to continue in its current format.
We have an ideal oppertunity to have decent discussion on Scottish football. Its time to stop this 4 times a season joke of a league.
Lets get Dundee utd St Mirren Falkirk Dunfermline Raith Morton etc back into a top division of 16/18 teams. Home and away games will be more exciting and fans would be eager to turn out.Lets also push for summer football and start the season March end it in November. Give supporters a break when money is at its most needed elsewhere.
But it will be the same old same old as long as the sfa can push an old firm game nothing else matters.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmybee,
Agree about increasing the league size with less games!

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

No way. Increase the league and watch crowds dwindle. Meaningless matches aplenty. The split I don’t like, but the play-offs have added a lot to the league.

Monti
6 years ago

So you want to play Hamilton 4 times, six tomes of you meet in the cup?

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Dumbarton, Morton, Livingston, QOS, yeh, that gets the juices flowing.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

In what would be an increasing ordeal of watching a multitude of games played on fucking substandard plastic pitches.No thanks.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

PISH 🙂

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Well said Henke a brainy cunt as well as a great player. 😉

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

LOL!!Thanks Mike.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

It’s not so much the other teams or the strength of them, playing either side only twice creates space in the season, it would allow different start and finish times of a season, no congestion.
Plus there is enough decent clubs/stadiums in the championship who could bring something different to the top league, some of these clubs are failing to grow because they are permanently in the championship.
Dundee Utd, Dunfermline, St.Mirren all have SPFL facilities.
We need to broaden our outlook, think bigger.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

They are not going to reduce the amount of games played in a season, that would be financial suicide.If you think that would allow clubs to grow by putting them in an extended league, that simply wouldn’t happen. Any miserable TV deal we sign up for has been on the premise that we play the filth 4 times a season.A bigger league would mean a multitude of meaningless games.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Meaningless to who?

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

You wont remember the games in the league before 75. I can assure you, there were months of meaningless games for many clubs.

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  jimmybee

Jimmy,

I think any plan to improve the national team has to also involve the Premier League. In particular, we need to address why Scottish teams fail at the qualifying stages of tournaments. Part of the answer is changing the start of the season. The expertise of the coaches needs to improve…moving away from the”just kick him harder” mentality.
In Iceland there are 600 coaches for a population of 340,000; 400 of these have UEFA licences. To coach 10 Years and up the coach requires to have a UEFA B licence. To coach younger players, coaches must have at least half of their UEFA B licence completed. So, it is not left to a couple of dads shouting support.
All of these things ultimately have a telling effect over time. Maybe it is happening in Scotia but I am asking, is it?

Rebus

Monti
6 years ago

An alternative to ripping everything down and starting again, which in terms of Gordon Strachan, i feel doesn’t need to happen.
The players are playing for Strachan, they like the manager and are responsive to his game plan.
I would stick by him for one more qualifying campaign, if he fails in that then maybe look a it again.
I actually think player wise we are not as bad as some think, if we were to use Gordon, Tierney, Robertson, Forrest, McGregor, McGinn, Armstrong, Griffiths, as a core, then add decent quality around that group, then we can go again.
A central defensive pairing has to be found, another striker has to be unearthed.
It isn’t all doom and gloom at all.

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

We are not saying the player pool is bad, we are saying that,the whole setup is a fucking shambles from the Governing of the game to the facilities and management, it needs cleared out.. TOTALLY.
This from the man who shouts…FUCK THE SFA….continually.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

I’m talking about the playing side Mike.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

Who are ” we “?

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Everybody but…………you. Tell you what, you mair wrong than right, much……mair.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

I dinnae think so Mike, go on then tell me what i’m wrong about then?

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Monti,

You are correct we nearly made it to the playoffs. A couple of injuries cost us, as did some coaching decisions. WGS retrieved national pride with the latter displays of the team. IMHO, either from political pressure, or a simple mistake, he weakened the midfield in the final game. McGregor, McGinn are untested at full international level. They may be the future.

What I am saying is that we need a system that will continue to produce a reasonably sized player pool at this level(I mean numbers not height!) You and I are biased in that we both probably feel that, under the present system, one club is supplying the bulk of the players. This might continue into the future but surely it is a mistake to build the future development of international players around just a single club? the Celtic players in the national squad are supplemented by several players from lower divisions in England…again, not a sure footed way to build a quality national team.We need a system that develops better players with higher skill levels. Sure, you say, but we shall lose them to the English league. Correct, we probably shall because money talks but, at the least, we can have a core of players that play together through youth levels and become familiar with each other. Belgium is dealing with this problem now…having developed good players, they are attempting to hold onto them for an extra couple of years. It would be a nice problem to have.

Rebus

tom ringland
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

thanks monti,
nothing wrong with what you are saying and it makes me feel a whole lot better about the need to reject the “knock it down and start again” cries.

There is no need to start again something that is already started.

All the best from melbourne. Tam

Devoy45
6 years ago

Rebus, your outline and plan is excellent. Scotland needs a vision and overhaul. Makes sense. In the last two decades,I don’t think we have ever had the right manager (foreign or domestic) for the national team. Managing Scotland is a poisoned chalice. Even Big Jock struggled. I like lots about WGS but he has too many quirky prejudices, which cost him a lot in those poor early matches. Like Monti, I believe we have the core of a very good team. We need a good man manager but one with vision and the ability to admit to mistakes. Genetics? I read not long ago that based on war records, Scotland and Ireland had the tallest recruits in Europe. That was before 1914. The Great War killed off the cream of Scottish and Irish manhood. Maybe those tall genes perished at Flanders and the Somme, by the millions Think of those big Irish and Scots Gaelic policemen you used to see in Glasgow and Edinburgh. That said, you only need height in 3 places: goalie and the two central defenders. The Scottish game at its best is gallus and is based on fast wingers like Jinky, Baxter, McDonald, etc. Celtic have Roberts, Hayes and Forrest in that mould. I just thought, Sinclair is a good Scots name.Can Scott Sinclair claim some Scottish connection? We’ll have him Knowing WGS, he wouldn’t have played him!

SteveNaive
6 years ago

Wise words Rebus. Germany did it also after the 1-5 grubbing from England. We do have footballing HIgh Schools already and small sided kids games for the last 20 years but it is the culture that needs to change. Ramsey did it with England after being left back when they were hammered. England didn’t even send a team to the first few World CUps… they invented the game and they would say who were the world champions (them of course) Ramsey got his reward in ’66, Stein got his in ’67 and the Dutch, Germans and Spanish since then. Even Brazil have changed after the 1-7 . Argentina haven’t, relying on one player and may yet not make it.
There is no real desire to change it here. Remember Henry Mc Leish and his in depth look at changing the game here ? In the last few years I have watched some lower league in Scotland…plenty of effort but poor movement, intelligence and football but ask any of them to merge and pool resources and you’ll get told where to go. Wait for the clamour for change that wouldn’t have been there if we scraped through to the play offs and totally shelved had we got through that.

Dan Docherty
6 years ago

What part (s) of the sfa plan would you change

rebus67
6 years ago
Reply to  Dan Docherty

Dan,

What is the SFA’s plan? Is it promoted?

Assuming there is a plan, I would ask how was it constructed? Is it based on best practices in other nations? Were individual coaches and clubs consulted? Were officials from the FAs in other small countries interviewed or asked to address like from the SFA/SPFL to illustrate the obstacles that they faced in implementing their plan?

If very little of the above happened then the “plan” is really a guesstimate rather than a plan, IMHO.

Rebus

mike
6 years ago
Reply to  rebus67

WGS his contract is up in November, the SFA will discuss his future on Thursday, but he will not be present and neither will they advertise what they have discussed. He no doubt will make up his own mind whether he wants to remain in situ. and make his feelings known to them when they make a decision as to whether they stick or twist with him. Scotland’s next fixture is almost one year away, so plenty of time for any possible new manager to bed in and get to know his new charges, if that is what they wish.
WGS made his own player choices but clearly loved his time in charge and will no doubt be judged on his choices.
But the problems run much deeper than that and significant changes must happen or this…shambles will continue.

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago

Cmon Sweden, get intae these orange bastards.

Monti
6 years ago

Henke,
I would actually like to see Holland win 6-0 and get an injury time penalty….then miss it.
Camera straight on to Advocaat 🙂

henkesdreadlocks
6 years ago

Aye you’re right, that would be hilarious.

Monti
6 years ago

Lol

BondiBrian
6 years ago

BTW…tallest race in the world??

Netherlands.

Tam the tim
6 years ago

SteveNaive
When did the English invent the game of football? Football as we know it aka the passing game came from Scotland. Before that all the English did was lump it up the park. Strachan was the reason I gave up my season ticket. His idea of playing football didn’t conform to my ideals. I remember after a game at Celtic Park when we were lousy he said he thought the fans didn’t understand the game. Fucking patronising wee shit. He’s a typical product of the type of guy who thinks he’s always right and sneers at the ordinary supporter. Remember Caldwell to McManus and back and forward ad nauseum? Tedious. That’s Strachan. And please don’t get me started on his record. As far as I’m concerned the type of football he represented when manager of our great club was total shit.
HH

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  Tam the tim

Nurse Ratched…oh Nurse Ratched …

Devoy45
6 years ago

Factoid: the average Dutch woman is as tall as the average Scottish man. Plan: recruit Dutch women for our national team!
A recent poll of female tourists showed that Greek men were the best lovers in Europe and British men were the worst. As of right now, my name is Stavros Devoyopolous!
Monti. Montiopolous has a good ring to it! LOL

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Ah was in Croatia ( and Slovenia ) last year, they are tall & athletic. Fine looking race.

mike
6 years ago

Devoy,

So has diddy its more apt.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  mike

You put up your list of what i’m wrong about yet?

mike
6 years ago

Oh AH Well…..everything!!

DorsetCelt
6 years ago

Tam The Tim

Agree 100% – watching Strachan’s Celtic team was like watching paint dry. Afterwards he would speak to the cameras and say “I thought we were great today etc……” and you would wonder what game he was watching.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  DorsetCelt

Maybe you preferred Lou Macari, John Barnes or Tony Mowbray’s Celtic sides?
They were really fucking exciting.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Don’t slag Lou,he’s Ralph’s pal and you’ll never win the caption,ever…..

DorsetCelt
6 years ago

I’m not talking about Macari, Barnes or Mowbray – they being bad doesn’t make Strachan good. Better than those three maybe but then most managers are/were.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  DorsetCelt

Dorset,
My point is Strachan did very well for Celtic, three titles in a row, a Scottish cup and two league cups, in four years.
He also took the club into the knock out stages of the CL for the first time.
There were low points as well of course bit i feel he did a lot of good for Celtic.
Becoming manager on the back of the Martin O’Neill era was brave as well.

I respect the job he did for Celtic……and so did his late friend, Tommy Burns.

BondiBrian
6 years ago
Reply to  DorsetCelt

Delia: 2 leagues. 1 league cup, robbed of a treble by by cheating ref.

No opening a debate, just sayin we wouldny be heading for 10 withoot his contribution.

Anyhoo, as ma Aussie mate says when ah mentioned about Scotland being ‘genetically’ disadvantaged, ‘you Scots do alright at rugby’
Ah always found Strachens ‘well rehearsed adlibs’ pure cringy.

Gash67
6 years ago

Sometimes we over complicate things.

Get Pedro in as manager and straight away we will have the best
squad in EUROPE.

Simple.

Thumbsupthingy

DorsetCelt
6 years ago

Monti,

Re your earlier reply – I cannot argue with the facts you mention but Strachan is a guy who divides opinion. He won nothing before coming to Celtic and nothing after he left. You like him – fair enough. I cannot take to him at all. Prior to coming to Celtic he managed Southampton and I was at their games on a number of occasions. I was bored stiff with the football Southampton were playing and was amazed when he was given the Celtic job – but I agree that MON was a very hard act to follow.

Monti
6 years ago
Reply to  DorsetCelt

DorsetCelt,
We shall agree to disagree m8, no problem at all!

Devoy45
6 years ago

In the here and now, Brendan is a great manager and we are playing the beautiful game and we are learning in the CL.We are unbeaten in the league and still in all competitions.
Aberdeen is now away to Hibs and Sevco. Perhaps they’ll drop some points?
We play Dundee at home before our semi-final against the Hibees at Hampden, our match away to Motherwell being postponed, In between we’re away to Bayern in the CL.
So, Dundee:
Gordon
Lustig/Simunovic/Boyata/Tierney
Bitton/Ntcham
Roberts/McGregor/Sinclair
Dembele
4-0 to the Bhoys
Bayern
Gordon
Lustig/Simunovic/Boyata/Tierney
Bitton/Ntcham
Roberts/Rogic/Sinclair
Griffiths
2-2 draw
Hibees:
Gordon
Lustig/Simunovic/Boyata/Tierney
McGregor/Ntcham
Roberts/Rogic/Sinclair
Griffiths
We’ll win this one 3-1
In all the above use McGregor, Forrest, Griffiths and Dembele as needed.
I’m assuming Brown and Armstrong won’t be available.I’m assuming Simunovic will be available. Rogic will need rested at first as will Griff. We need to get Dembele match fit and try get Edouardo some experience. We can use Forrest or Roberts as needed. I’d like to get Jonny Hayes mojo working as well so he can sub for Sinclair on the left. We can also go to 3 at the back against Dundee and Hibees if Simunovic isn’t available, using both Griff and Dembele up front. Griff seems more effective though when he’s on his own.
It has occurred to me that one reason for not being on this Forum is illness or injury. I hope Charlie Saiz is alright. He’s key to this Forum and knows the game better than most of us and I also like him as resident Statto.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Resident statto is Celtic by numbers,as long as he doesn’t talk about dribbles….

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

Do Celtic not play Aberdeen on the 25th?….

Monti
6 years ago

Devoy,
I agree with the part that wishes Charlie Saiz fit and well.
I don’t agree with him being knowledgeable about the game……that has been proved to be a nonsense.
Hope you are well CS!!

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Monti

Don’t agree with any of that post except the nonsense part from the Modern Celtic Supporter of the Year(courtesy,D.Mond).He doesn’t attend any matches,swots up on statistics and thinks his way is the only way.He isn’t key to anything,he’s an infiltrator….UTR

BondiBrian
6 years ago

“I hope Charlie Saiz is alright. He’s key to this Forum and knows the game better than most of us and I also like him as resident Statto”

I for one enjoyed his take on the gemm, didn’t always agree but fair do’s the effort he put inti it.

Anyone know if he’s awrite??

Devoy45
6 years ago

Ground control to Charlie Saiz…

Whether you agree or not
Charlie Saiz is one of the best that we’ve got
For his stats and his insight
which sheds lots of light
through our fag smoke, the beer and the snot!

Although you think I am dim
Charlie Saiz is one helluva Tim
We need him on here
every day of the year
I suspect even Monti misses him!

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago
Reply to  Devoy45

You could be CS? Interesting.Do you think Celtic will go unbeaten against Dundee,Bayern,Hibs and Aberdeen in the space of 12 days?….

portpower
6 years ago

Pinch a poo? Jesus,Mary and Joseph pinch a nerve.
Don`t get stuck on the bog.
Canadian paras do it better.

Thank Ghod for prescription.

I`m SDM.

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Anybody bothered about the Takeover panel court case today against GASL or title stripping or Murray coming back to start a new club playing out of Liebrox? It all seems to have gone quiet,which is exactly what the SFA/SPFL/ diddy clubs want.Priorities please….

portpower
6 years ago

When is it we`re playing again?
Chilly Weather from Greenock vaulting to perpendicular Dundee.
Scottish Fluorescent Football.

Sharon Brown`s Pedro`s #. HH

Right, who was it that called Ian Bankier a so & so?

secvo lamb lamped FC.

portpower
6 years ago
Reply to  portpower

G`day Sheilas,don`t get stuck on the lavvy.
“In the name of the wee mahn.”

Ghod Bless The Ghirl with Green Stick.

portpower
6 years ago

Dutch issues run deep…

Rob O'Keeffe
6 years ago

Financial news time: Peter(Ralph’s besty) now receives £1.17m a year plus a 20% bonus.Everyone loves Peter on here,don’t they?Players’ salaries are over the £50m mark,so remember to go easy on them and not sigh or moan when attending the games.As for teachers,nurses,firefighters,refuse collectors etc,get on with your jobs and raise your morale.A decent pay rise? Jog on…….I’m not John McKay….

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