AndyDD

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/53592504 But he described the Scottish FA's plans to use the Nations League play-off semi-final with Israel on 4 September as a test event as "very sensible". Chris Mclaughlin there, once again failing to understand that the September clash with Israel is a Nations League Group game, with the play off semi final not until October. Basic stuff and not the first time he has gotten this wrong.

Exactly haha. But there's always hope. It's a good tie on paper though, first game back, new managers; a lot of ingredients for some excitement. And streaming it on a per view basis brings a novelty factor, so we shall but see.

Tuning into this one as a neutral using the PPV thing. I'm going to predict an entertaining 2-2. Better no be boring shite.

Doubt it, but there is a decent wee view from the canal... Thankfully there's a much better chance come 13th March for Airdrie to give me a late birthday present. I agree entirely that the away days are a better day out and think we've got some crackers in prospect there, at times of the season when the chances of fans being allowed, especially away fans, are higher than they will be early doors.

Away form was very good last year and given that we might not get to the early away games, having two visits to Falkirk and Partick is great news. 12 points nailed on. Broadwood on boxing day. Pretty happy with the way it has shaken out.

At no point, let me state for the record m'lud, was I arguing we should be going to a back 3. Just wondering if the arrival of Mbayo suggests that could be the direction of travel. I'd be hoping we start the season with the settled back 4 that did so well last go around. I guess we can't and won't get any inkling until the league cup. Here's hoping we get some decent opening fixtures this afternoon, with the better away trips pushed back until the new year to increase the odds we can get along to them.

'Seismic injustice' says Tom English. Yum. 'They [The SPFL] have won the day', he says, choking back tears.

Big thanks to Hearts, their moonhowler supporters and their wee Renfield pals at Firhill for keeping us all amused between the end of last season and the impending start of 2020/2021 on Saturday. Has been top drawer entertainment and more fun than any of the closed door Fitba' that has been on in the meantime. Just think, lads; the BBC documentary will let us relive the journey all over again. All we need now are those tear-stained, hand wringing, shirt rending, De-fucking-licious statements.

I think the more important point, regardless of which club is 'bigger' or what determines the 'size' of a club, is that moving to Lille in Ligue 1 is definitely a step up for any player in the SPFL Premiership. It is quite obviously a higher level of football, that they would need to step up to.

If any club allowed players to take part in a game without their test results having come back, then they need to be punished and punished severely. This could jeopardise the start of the league, flies in the face of the significant accommodations already made for Football and much more importantly poses a genuine health risk to the nation at a time when we are driving steadily towards elimination. What a bunch of feckless fucking idiots.

It's obviously difficult to say when we haven't seen anything of some of the squad, but the defensive record does make you think we are unlikely to see much change there. It would be hard to justify, but if Mbayo has been brought in as a starter we could well end up with 3 at the back; Fordyce left of a 3 with Crighton and Mbayo. That would allow us to play 3-5-2, 3-4-1-2, 3-4-2-1 etc. As many have mentioned already, you'd still expect a few more additions who could change the options again. Importantly, though, it does look like we will have options and adaptability could be crucial.

Haha, appreciated! I've been going to enough home games to have made it worth my while the last few seasons so it's about time to be fair. The lack of a summer holiday this year has helped anawl it has to be said, in terms of disposable income in the summer months.

https://www.airdriefc.com/2021news/200722/Moving-forward?fbclid=IwAR0Ozc3zo72P5VhjtXe82JnqDGvVa9PXG6lEHuGpBsPXNnAwAaPTFca9l5w 'The squad will report for pre-season training on Saturday August 15. The club will arrange closed door pre-season friendlies in September in preparation for the first Betfred Cup match on Tuesday October 6 and the first SPFL League One match on Saturday October 17. We will launch season tickets for season 2020/21 in August once we have had our fixture scheduled confirmed by the SPFL. Airdrie Community Trust will again fund season tickets for children under 16 which will allow young supporters to see our exciting new team for free next season. An exact date for season tickets will be confirmed upon the release of our fixtures. The club also has an agreement to implement the new Pixellot technology system at the stadium for the start of the new season. This will also allow the club to broadcast live matches next season to subscribers in the event that crowd restrictions remain in place or to those fans who feel uncomfortable in social spaces with other people due to issues related to COVID-19. The new system will also provide professional coaching solutions to Ian Murray and his staff as well as teams in the local community who will use our facility in future.' Excellent. Training date set, pre-season friendlies planned from September, season tickets next month, Trust funding the under 16s tickets and confirmation of live game broadcasts should crowd restrictions be in place. Really pleased with the level of preparation from the club and I cannae wait to get a season ticket (to my shame, it will be my first).

3 mins in he starts a move then gets on the end of it to score against you lot.

1) Hearts 2) Dunfermline 3) Dundee 4) Morton 5) ICT 6) Ayr 7) Arbroath 8 ) Alloa 9) Raith Rovers 10) QOS.

1. Celtic 2. Rangers 3. Aberdeen. 4. Hibernian 5. Motherwell 6. Dundee United 7. Kilmarnock 8.St Johnstone 9. Livingston 10. St Mirren 11. Hamilton 12. Ross County

Frankly, it would be utterly daft for a red card in a friendly to count towards league bans. That's a nonsense. As is the amended kickoff time, from the perspective of a potential viewer.

You were in the East Fife thread saying they were going to sign Marc McNulty, weren't you? That's plenty. Off ye f**k.

@craigkillie yeah that's a fair point well made, when you consider the youth levels in particular. I'm in agreement with you about Findlay, I rather daftly overlooked him earlier when going off the top of my head. I'd expect there's a fair chance of it being either or when it comes to Dykes and Brophy and like you I don't anticipate Hearts players being called up, especially if the September internationals go well for Scotland, but then again much of who will or won't get a call will depend on myriad factors including form in the early part of the season. It could be a much more significant handicap than I'd first anticipated.

This is new information to me.

Clyde fans seem fairly confident he is on the move to Queens Park. He was definitely a competent player at league 1 level, from what I could tell.

Actually that rings a bell, so I think you're likely right about that. My main point still stands though.

I may be misremembering here, but didn't West Brom retweet an overtly racist fan who was moaning about Black Lives Matter support and telling them directly that they are no longer welcome at their stadium? A statement saying 'anyone who doesn't like it shouldn't come to ibrox' wont stop them going to ibrox, in the same way as the same kind of language put up by celtic and hibs and hearts and whomever else when their fans come the c**t is toothless at best and cynical at worst. It costs them nothing and accomplishes nothing. Any person who rangers can identify from the social media meltdown over the knee-taking should be banned from the stadium. If they have a season ticket, refund it and bar them. Granted, many use 'clever' pseudonyms to hide behind, but not all of them, and in much less numbers on facebook than on twitter. This would be a substantive step and one all clubs should take. Even if they only get a few people through this method, it sends a stronger message.