[Who’s on the plane?]

Gunn, Gordon, Clark

Hickey, Patterson, Porteous, Hendry, Hanley, Cooper, McKenna, Tierney, Robertson

Gilmour, McGregor, McGinn, McTominay, Armstrong, Ferguson, McLean

Dykes, Adams, Christie, Shankland

I think Ralston, Jack, Souttar, Taylor narrowly miss out

If Hickey is injured though - Ralston will go

 

 

[The Pie and Bovril Dead Pool 2023]

2 hits in 1 day

 

Kissenger and Macgowan

 

One of them a good guy (Macgowan) and the other a war mongering evil b*****d

[Who’s on the plane?]

What happened to James Forrest - I noticed he was playing tonight for Celtic

A few years ago he was playing really well and no he seems to be no where near the Scotland set up

Did he get injured or just fall out of favour?

Anyone know?

[Who’s on the plane?]

36 minutes ago, Squalor Vic said:

McLean is a cert, barring injury 

I like McLean - just think he may be one of the few who may just miss out by a whisker

Think he is a good wee player for us who has never let us down

[Who’s on the plane?]

8 minutes ago, craigkillie said:

I'd still expect Grant Hanley to go if he is back fit and playing.

I'm not sure on Hanley - I think Hendry is better than him

He may still go though -  I think Porteous, Hendry, Cooper and Tierney are certs

Maybe one more from Hanley, Souttar and McKenna?

[Who’s on the plane?]

I think I would currently go with

 

Gordon, (If he is not retired), Gunn, Clark

Hickey, Patterson, Porteous, Hendry, Cooper, McKenna, Tierney, Robertson

Gilmour, McGregor, McGinn, McTominay, Armstrong, Ferguson, McLean, Jack

Dykes, Adams, Christie, Shankland

 

The ones I have put in bold I am certain are already on the plane if fit. 

It will be interesting what the 3 current English players for Newcastle do (Anderson, Barnes and Livramento). As a Newcastle fan I believe all would all improve our squad. 

Also to see if Doak progresses.

That is the 23 I would go for just now if all fit and assuming no one else emerges (or become eligible)

[Our Best XI]

Obviously a lot can change between now and Euro 2024 but IF Scotland make it I think these will be the 26 players

 

Goalkeepers - Gordon (If he is not retired), Gunn, Clark, Kelly (If Gordon is retired)

Defenders - Patterson, Hickey, Porteous, Souttar, Hanley, Hendry, McKenna, Cooper, Tierney, Robertson

Midfielders - Jack, McGregor, Gilmour, McLean, Ferguson, McGinn, McTominay, Armstrong, Turnbull

Attackers - Adams, Dykes, Christie, Brown / Shankland

 

Starting 11

 

                                                       Gordon / Gunn

 

                               Porterous / Hendry Hanley Tierney

                         Hickey                                                      Robertson

                                               McTominay McGregor

                        Christie / Armstrong                        McGinn

                                                                Adams

Gunn / Gordon

Clark

Kelly (Assuming he is there)

Patterson

Souttar

Hendry / Porteous

Cooper 

McKenna

Jack

Gilmour

Ferguson

McLean

Turnbull

Armstrong / Christie

Dykes

Brown / Shankland

 

I do think this may have too many centre defenders though - But I reckon this will be close to the 26 who go if we do make it there barring injuries etc

 

 

 

 

[Scotland v Cyprus 25/03/23]

Does anyone find it strange that Clarke did not bring someone on after the goal to make it 3 0?

The game was finished 

We used 4 subs (the maximum is 5)

He could have even brought Hyam on just to get him capped as he is probably unlikely to win a cap in future

Any thoughts on this?

[Scotland v Cyprus 25/03/23]

Very strange that Ryan Jack has got the nod

I think he is a decent player but we should have more of an attacking line up against Cyprus at home

I would have started Gilmour

[Scotland v Armenia]

11 minutes ago, BFTD said:

The Faeroes definitely looked better last time we played them.

Armenia had another poor game tonight. You could see exactly how Norway managed to help themselves to so many goals, and at least they kept everyone on the field tonight.

Their captain should be red carded - was already on a yellow then made a cynical push on Adams - was blatant.

[The McTominay Conundrum]

I don't rate McTominay in defence (Souttar and Hendry superior at RCB)

Play him in midfield or on the bench

 

[Scotland v Armenia]

1 minute ago, Gordopolis said:

 

 

Don't want to turn a solid win into a negative, but the "few more goals" thing is spot on
While we dominated, there was a sense of frustration about it.
For as long as I've been a Scotland fan (1990-ish), we've never had an entirely convincing goal threat. McCoist aside, we've really struggled to find a semi-regular finisher. The only time I felt relaxed in that respect was circa 2007 when Miller & McFadden were both on their mid 20s and each had 10+ international goals - yet neither really went crazy with their goalscoring after that (Miller 18, McFadden 15).
Apart from that it's been a bit desperate, with guys like Naismith and Fletcher scraping past 10 in their 30s.
I might be wrong, but I suspect we've not had anyone hit double figures before the age of 24 since Denis Law (and few late flourishers to offset this).
Bit of a ramble, but just imagine how much pressure it would take off the rest of the team to have an international class sharp shooter up front.
 

 

I agree - John McGinn has about 12 goals and he is only 27

But he is not a striker

It would take so much pressure off of him too if he believed we had some c**t up front who could score a goal every 2 or 3 games

[Scotland v Armenia]

38 minutes ago, Jacky1990 said:

Lots of good play tonight, especially first 30 mins or so.

Ralston was great and they clearly targeted him against their left wing back on the back post.

Christie is very underrated for us. Works his arse off every time, especially in closing down the opposition full backs when they threaten a counter.

That being said, at some point Clarke needs to to give another keeper a go. Gordon cant go on forever and we need to make sure we at least have a keeper who has played at international level before he retires! Same goes for subs, he makes them far too late and doesnt use his squad enough IMO.

I like Jack Hendry, but he just isnt good enough to be the central of the three. He was caught out several times against poor opposition. Needs to be better and more switched on.

Finally, someone needs to sit John McGinn down and tell him he isnt actually better than Zidane. He is trying to play a game that isnt his strength and has become well greedy in the final third. Headline chaser. He is brilliant when driving from deep and arriving late in the box. He isnt a fucking David Silva-esq number 10 who plays fancy flicks. 

Edit to add that McTominay looked very good when he came on in midfield. More of that please.

I agree with all of that but not so sure about the keeper bit

I agree Gordon is getting old, but the other 2 are not as good as him

I think because we got beat last week we may have friendlies in October time - that may be time to try a new keeper and not in the qualifying games

Gordon is a fucking legend - great keeper

[Ireland v scotland]

                                                      Gordon

                                      Souttar Cooper McKenna

Patterson (if fit) - Ralston if not                                   Robertson

                                       McGregor Gilmour McGinn

                                                 Adams Christie

[Scotlands games to be broadcast on Nordic streaming platform.]

12 minutes ago, killiekranky said:

It's an add on for prime, £14.99 a month. Go to sports and youll see it.

 

Oh right

Thank you

[Scotlands games to be broadcast on Nordic streaming platform.]

6 minutes ago, DA Baracus said:

Amazon Prime does the Premier Sports channels. Just found that out. Obviously you need to pay for it still, handy if you have Prime.

I have prime - and am on it now - but I cant find the link for the game

[Scotland v Armenia]

                                     Marshall

                          Souttar Hendry McKenna

Patterson                    McTominay               Robertson

 

                             McGinn Armstrong Christie

                                         Adams

[Squad announced for June fixtures]

3 minutes ago, Scotty Tunbridge said:

I think Marshall is again in as a legacy pick to get him to 50 caps due to how much Clark likes him, given injury prevented him playing for QPR towards the end of the season.

Maybe

 

I personally think Marshall is better than Zander Clarke and Liam Kelly

[Squad announced for June fixtures]

4 minutes ago, Donathan said:

Agreed, but we usually play both when they are available. 

Possibly

I did say in my original post the 11 I would play if all fit - not what I think Clarke will play

I would go for Armstrong over Christie too

[Squad announced for June fixtures]

1 minute ago, Donathan said:

When was the last time we left a fit Lyndon Dykes out in a competitive game? Never a great idea to leave your goal machine on the bench 

Dunno

I think Adams is a better player

[Squad announced for June fixtures]

          Assuming all are fit enough to start against Ukraine - I would go             

 

                                          Gordon

                  Hendry Cooper McKenna 

Patterson                                                       Robertson

                         Gilmour McGregor

           McGinn                                    Armstrong / Christie

                                        Adams

 

[Squad announced for June fixtures]

Tierney out  

[Scotland v Ukraine]

10 minutes ago, Gordopolis said:

Dunno. He's played a lot of important games for Rangers in these last 2 months, yes, but from what I've seen of those matches he has largely looked out of his depth - constantly giving the ball away or choosing the wrong option.
Then again, in a couple of those games he's been played out of position while Rangers tried to cope with their striker crisis. Also, I missed the cup final today where he scored, so I'll have to watch the highlights.

Anyway, my gut tells me he's a cut below OF and Scotland standard. A new Gary Mackay Steven, if you will.

I haven't saw much of him but he took his goal well today

Very good finish

[Squad Injuries Ahead of Ukraine Match]

Gordon, Marshall, Kelly

O'Donnell, Ralston, Souttar, McKenna, Cooper, McTominay, Hendry, Hanley, Tierney, Robertson, Hickey

Gilmour, McGregor, McGInn, Armstrong, McLean, Turnbull, Ferguson, Jack

Dykes, Adams, Brown, Christie

 

[Scotland v Ukraine]

Maybe Scotland squad will be announced on Monday?

 

After the final game in the premiership