Scott Brown, as captain, has been taking a lot of flak over scotlands piss poor and predictable collapse against Georgia. Of course, being Celtic captain as well, means that the mainstream media will be just that little harsher.
Still, when the chips are down, Brown usually responds by turning in a shift and a half, and Scotland need that from him tonight.
He told the press pack the plan for toinights game against Germany;
“It’s all about how you work off the ball as a team, If we’re slack and sloppy, not closing people down, and leaving gaps for people to play in you need to ride your luck for 90 minutes.”
“It’s not that we owe anyone a better performance We turned up [in Georgia] and played as well as we could on that day. What we did didn’t come off. But everyone worked their socks off, so it’s not about owing people anything. But we want to get to the Euros for everybody.”
He was asked about his commitment, and whether or not he will walk away from the national team now that he is thirty. Which must have riled him.
He replied, rather more diplomatically than I would have;
“No, I enjoy playing every week and I will keep training for as long as I possibly can,When I don’t enjoy that, then it will be the time to hang the boots up. It won’t be one or the other – it’ll be when I don’t enjoy both of them. Unless I don’t get picked, of course.”
Strachan has said he will change thngs for tonight, which hopefully means less dependence on journeymen such as Steven Fletcher and James Morrison, but he does have his favourites, so expect more of the same.
He’s even talking about bringing in Chris Martin, -you’ll spot him in the line up, he’s the one with the surprised he’s playing international football look on his face-and he gave his reasons.
Which must make sense to someone, I suppose.
“Martin gives you an option as well. He can stand in there and take the ball in.
“He can’t run about like other people, but he has the strength to get the ball under control and bring people into the game. I think his goalscoring record is as good as anybody’s over the last two years. In a more competitive league as well.”
He can’t run about but he can stand there.
Fuck me, Gordon, I’ll bring my boots shall I?
He added: “McArthur has been great for Crystal Palace. If anybody is in the form team just now it’s James.”
“So it is getting a balance between the height, the strength, the patience and still have enough to go forward and cause a problem. I want height and how do we counter attack and pass. The Germans can look like men against boys because they are so good at passing and physical as well.
“So I need to get height, strength, patience and intelligence – and how do we counter attack and attack them and take players on? I love to see players taking players on. How do we put that in the team? We have the system, it’s trying to get the names and bodies in there.”
Steven Fletcher has played in 386 games to date, and scored 108 goals. Martin 303 and 103.
Leigh Griffiths is scoring every time he plays of late. It’s what strikers do.
The table doesn’t make for great reading for Strachan, but two wins out of three could still see the scots progress, depending on other results;
Strachan has stuck with the same players throughout the campaugn, but even he must be seeing that one or two are simply not up to it. He will have to stick with them for now, but should the Scots finally make a summer tournament, things will have to change.
I don’t even need to put down my can of superlager to see that.
In the Jock Stein Memorial game yesterday, Celtic lost 2-0 to Dunfermline, but it seems the real winner was fun.
And, of course, charity.
The money goes towards Syrian Refugee relief, something even Germany are heavily involved with. They are setting up a massive refugee camp in the countryside, known as the Black Forrest ghetto, and it’s nice to see that someone in this country is doing their bit.
Britain, of course, is sticking to it’s usual customs check;
The game itself featured hollywood stars such as James McAvoy and Vinnie Jones, and everyone seemed to have a good time.
Neil Lennon wore the captians amrband for the day, something he is more than used to doing, but there was another flashback to another game at East End Park…
41 A melee in the box and the referee blows his whistle for an infringement just as Neil Lennon was preparing to pull the trigger.
I’m assuming he wasn’t carrying a gun, despite any feelings he may still harbour for Scottish officials.
He still has feelings for Celtic though, and offered consolation for the players who didn’t make the champions League, as he looked ahead to the Europa group.;
“Celtic have Ajax, Fenerbahce and Molde are no mugs either. So, yeah, the group is mouth-watering. It will be good for Ronny and the players.
“Maybe they are just a little bit short of the Champions League at the moment because basically over the last there or four years they have sold their best players to keep the economic side of things going.
“So maybe that will be a good yardstick for building for next season – and hopefully for the Champions League.
“I found the Europa League beneficial for the Champions League. We had Udinese and Athletico Madrid, Rennes and that was a very good group.
“And you could start seeing the fruits of what was to come that year against those teams.
“Udinese were one of the top teams in Italy and I think Athletico Madrid went on to win it that year.
“So that was an excellent building process, if that’s what you want to call it, for what was to come the following year.”
And he stressed it’s not the end of the world;
“Look, it’s always difficult to qualify.
“In 2003 we got knocked out by Basel and went on to the UEFA Cup final. Whether this team can go on and do that I don’t know. But you can go on and make a run at it.
“It just adds to the experience that they’ll get playing against the quality of sides they’ll come up against.
“And it’s a group that Ronny and the players will think they can get out of.
“Ajax maybe aren’t as strong as they were, Fenerbache have spent a bit of money and Molde are certainly beatable home and away.”
There was more , unexpected, laughter yesterday as a Second Rangers supporter, perhaps a little carried away with his teams great start to their fourth year of senior football, decided to share his assessment of the players values…
When will it dawn on them ? They haven’t got anything worth a fortune, and if they had it would soon be cashed in. Or perhaps they really did get lucky, and all these superstars were just overlooked by teams that could offer them a signing on fee and wages.
Mind you, old Magic Hat Warburton, the manager who was on standby to replace Roy Hodgson had England failed to qualify for Euro 2016, sounds just as deluded;
“I wasn’t tempted to spend at all on Tuesday, ( The last day of the transfer window )We’re pleased with our early permanent signings. The plan was always to get them in before going to the loan market. Thankfully that’s worked out really well.
“Our focus is now on January and we’ll look at how the squad shapes up over the next few months. We’ll have players lined up as and when we need them.
“Any manager has to have the trust of the board. So why spend money when you don’t need it? The unity is good and one bad apple can upset that.
“You have a better chance as a coach now if you show prudence and seek value. If you’re wasteful with the money it will come back to haunt you.
“If we thought there was a seven-figure player who was available, and who would add value to us on and off the pitch, we’d go and ask the board.”
A few weeks ago, Gordon Waddell highlighted the amount of players breaking through to Celtic’s first team from the Academy. Based on research from Miguel Delaney, things aren’t that good in England either.
YOUTH GRADUATES TO PLAY 25 GAMES SINCE 2010-11
5 Aston Villa
3 Tottenham, Newcastle, Southampton
2 Arsenal, Liverpool
1 Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Everton, Leicester,
Man United, Stoke, Swansea, Watford, West Brom
0 Chelsea, Man City, Norwich, Sunderland, West Ham
Something to think about. The article is worth a read, as it’s very well presented, and gives food for thought. And hopefully, someone will pick up on it, as it shows the damage being done at grass roots level to the game by Sky TV.
Just forty or so years ago, in 1972, at under 23 level, Scotland faced England. Have a look at the quality in both line ups, and you have an idea how badly the youngsters are being looked after these days;
Fans Against Criminalisation continue their fight against the Offesnive Behaviour Act, and possible Police, er, over enthusiasm at Scottish games.
And no wonder. This extract is from the memoirs of an ex-Det. Super in glasgow…
Institutional sectarianism ? In Scotland ? Who’d have thought it ?
A wee picture to ponder now, from Celtic Collectibles on Twitter…which ground is displaying this flag ?
Finally, a word about Ralph Milne, the former Dundee United winger who passed away this weekend. I finished his book recently, “What’s It All about , Ralphie ? “, which reminded me just how good a player he was. When Dundee United were genuinely feared across Europe, he was an integral part of the side, combining skill and pace with a phenomenal ability to score goals.
He had his demons, but now is at peace.
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends
Aye Brokes at the weekend.
Scotland was depressing but predictable Friday – in the last 20 years we’ve failed to do it when it counts.
But here in Holland it is the end of the world. From 3rd in the world last year to losing to Iceland and Turkey over the weekend and practically out of the Euros. In both games the centrebacks were at fault for all the goals. Really bad faults. VVD not in squad for Iceland, sat on the bench for Turkey. Because he played in Scotland completely ignored by management. I wanted them to qualify but you reap what you sow.
And what a line-up for the U-23 match. They would all walk into either team now
My wife is Dutch. Went to a game at the old stadium. Pissing down rain. Cold as f**k. Had a great time! 🙂
the flag is flying over ibrox whose patrons still make the one handed salute to this day they should be pitied
A LOT ABOUT THE SFA,S PISS POOR TEAM,THOUGHT THIS WAS A CELTIC SITE
Its a Celtic SUPPORTers site…you do know how to actually give support don’t you?
The annoying/intriguing thing about Gordon Strachans Scotland is this “system” mentality.
Its a system that means Jordan Rhodes is deemed surplus to requirements because, to paraphrase Bruce Hornsby, “He cant go where the other kids go”. Imagine if Chris Coleman thought Gareth Bale was simply a luxury?
Strachans done well but as pointed out, might be time for a player change or a system change, Unleash Jamesie Naeneck and get at them, no more punting pish. Height Schmiedt as they say in barcelonas 5Ft 7″ Superstar club
Listening to Talk Sport this morning and a so called Scottish Football expert Tom someone or other said “Rangers” when he meant to say “Scotland”.
That speaks volumes as far as i am concerned.
To be fair Scotland had the hardest group of them all, no excuse for losing to Georgia though. Be good to see Wales at a finals, not sure about the green rangers though.
Ghuys…we’re no oot yet!!!
Ireland (home)beat Georgia…move to 15 points.
Ireland (home) lose to Germany..stay on 15.
Ireland (away) lose to Poland..finish on 15.
Meanwhile:-
Scotland (home)lose to Germany….stay on 11.
Scotland (home) beat Poland…move to 14.
Scotland (away) beat Gibralter…move to 17.
I just love being an optimist!!!! It’s not over until the fat wummin sings!!!!! Come on Scotland. And Strachan, ffs play Griffiths from the start and give us a chance of a goal!!!
R .I.P. Ralph Milne. God bless and keep. Hh
We’re no oot!!!!!!!!!!!!!