Davie fae Duke Street

More Scots youth getting picked up by european teams is hopefully a sign of green shoots in our football and certainly hope the lads are successful at Bayern but there'll be very tough competition, so can only wait and see. Although a footballer has got to jump at the chance to play with some of the very best, I partly still wonder if it could perhaps be better for them to go to more mid-table type clubs like Bologna. Where they'd still get the benefit of a greater standard while having a better chance at getting decent game time. Although that's still no guarantee.

It seems that Scotland always manages to be lesser than the sum of it's parts. Through the 60's 70's and 80's: there were plenty of high quality, high achieving players for the team and they really should have been making more respectable progress in tournaments. I'd say that even since the 90's through to today, that most of the teams have under performed in regards to the quality of players available. At enough to get the odd qualification and one run beyond the group stage.

Looks a little close to an Argentina strip. I usually prefer the away tops to be an completely different colour from the home, like yellow. It's alright though.

Come on Moonster, at least try to read what's actually posted: "You could have him in the squad, you could not. If Clarke wants to focus on getting the most out of the established players of his game plan in the run up to an important match I'd say that's reasonable."

No, every match has pressure of course and the FA cup is still a chance to silverware so there's still importance. But it's well known that these matches are down the priority list for these clubs and they use them to give players a rest and blood the youth. Because there's no particular need for it. That area of the pitch is already well covered. Is he going to learn that much in a very short training period with a new squad? You could have him in the squad, you could not. If Clarke wants to focus on getting the most out of the established players of his game plan in the run up to an important match I'd say that's reasonable.

The FA cup isn't regarded as such a big deal these days in England, especially amongst the big teams. Hence why Liverpool also didn't play their fully strength squad that match. Chucking Gilmour on in the desperate hope that he recreates a freak Flecther goal from over a decade ago isn't reasonable thinking.

I would image that the prep for one or two high pressure play off matches isn't an ideal time to get any useful embedding of a new young player. There's plenty of time afterwards for that. Pending injuries, the midfield three will likely be macgregor, mctomminay and mcginn or christie. In the situation of a central midfielder needing to be subbed on it'll be fleck, armstrong or mcginn.

It could very well turn out that way, but considering the limited and poor quality options we have just now, I'd say it's worth a try. I'd say Forrest performed well enough in the Cyprus match there, especially considering he was not on his preferred side and they clearly made efforts to have an extra man on him. He did well in the build up to the second goal. He seems to be held at the bench mark of - if he didn't score then he was poor. Some people do the same with Fraser though.

I reckon that Christie could do a decent job at No.9 (certainly better than the other current choices), he's got the energy and work-rate to press and ball chase, he's comfortable taking possession and carrying the ball, positions himself well in and around the box and is a goal scorer. I have a suspicion that it hasn't been tried through fear of being accused of doing a 4-6-0. even though that was 9 years ago it still seems to hold strong in peoples minds. Forrest can return to his favoured right-wing and CalMac can fill in on the left for this one, with McLean covering the centre. Go with Devlin and McKenna purely out of the hope that club familiarity will have some benefit.