Old Bing Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 Just now, Donathan said: Being in league A of the nations league is an excellent opportunity to play more matches against teams of Spain’s calibre. While the initial aim will just be to avoid the drop, you need to factor in that we will probably take the format more seriously than some of the bigger hitters in league A. The other league a teams will be properly packing their pants now, and rightly so. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_K_97 Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 One other thing - if you want a good laugh at Pedro Porro's expense, I strongly recommend reading this fun article here 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaboz Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 Is this a pivotal moment for us? Yes, we've steadily got better over past get years and had some tremendous results but is this the one that gives not just the team but EVEYONE the belief that we can go further than ever? A lot of top teams are in decline. Italy, Germany, Spain are all faltering. Belgium showed in the WC they're average. If we qualify, a slightly favourable draw could see us not just finally get past the group, but possibly a round or two further. Lads like Tierney and Christie at their best are as good as anyone. Robbie, McGinn, McSauce we've got such a core of players at perhaps the highest, or close to, highest level? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoonsYouthTeam Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 11 minutes ago, Andy_K_97 said: Agreed wholly - look at how far their star has fallen since 2012 with their most recent Euros win. A team which featured genuinely world-class players, all of whom were lauded for playing some of the best football ever to be played on the biggest stages of all. Over time, they've all been replaced with players who, while they are obviously very good, are nowhere near fit to lace the boots of their predecessors. It's the classic thing that a big team does when they turn up and are poor where they look to blame everything but themselves - the truth is that they were equally as poor as we were good on the night. Add to that, de la Fuente appears not to have taken us seriously at all with the amount of subs he made. Alright, some changes were enforced due to injuries, but it was clear that Spain thought they could just turn up and stroll it. Compare this to Scotland. The Clarke reign has seen incremental improvement upon improvement with the dross being phased out in favour of players who are largely better and buy into the manager's philosophy. While there were some big losses at the start (the games against Russia and Belgium come to mind, and I thought after the Belgium game where KDB ran the show that we would never qualify for a tournament ever again) the rewards have come. Like all teams, we've had good luck (the Euros being pushed back a year enabling McGinn to regain fitness otherwise there's no way we'd have qualified) and bad luck (the invasion of Ukraine leading to the playoff semi-final being played in June when our players were all gubbed and the Ukrainians fresh, compared to March where we picked up two relatively decent results against Poland and Austria), but now we're starting to see full houses at Hampden and commanding performances where teams are turning up and leaving with nothing. Last night eclipses the games against Serbia and Denmark, and is the marquee result that we've needed. Last night would have no doubt shocked people the world over who probably expected the Scotland of old and the Spain of old to turn up, with predictable consequences. Not any more. I hope that these results are just the start of something remarkable, and maybe it's just the enthusiasm from last night still nowhere close to leaving my system but I have a feeling that we've got more to come like this. As for the individual players, I can't fault a single player in dark blue last night - every man knows his role and what he's expected to do. As others have mentioned, Tierney and McTominay were immense and it's wild that neither are playing regularly at their club sides. Robertson was brilliant and maybe should have handled himself slightly better to avoid the booking from the Porro incident, but was exemplary the rest of the game. This team, subs and all, goes onto the pitch and leaves absolutely nothing in the changing room. Then there's the gaffer. I didn't think I could love him any more than when he managed Killie, but he's just the best. To all the wee guys who were moaning about his brand of football being boring after signing his new deal, I ask you this? Where is your god? Where is your god now? Fantastic post, sums it up so well. I'm 35 and been going to Scotland games since John McGinlay's winner v Sweden at Ibrox in 1997. This is far and away the best I've ever seen from the national side, the Euro 2008 campaign was great, but ultimately a failure. This team have already been a success and I'm sure will continue to succeed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jambomo Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, Florentine_Pogen said: Chapeau, mo. Always nice to see a bit of magnanimity from one of our Jambo chums.............. I am always happy to admit when I am wrong I’ve only just seen his post match interview where they ask him about what Rodri was saying. His response was disappointingly professional and mature, not even a smirk. Looks like you can take Leith out a man after all. Edited March 29, 2023 by Jambomo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buchan30 Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 22 minutes ago, Stellaboz said: Is this a pivotal moment for us? Yes, we've steadily got better over past get years and had some tremendous results but is this the one that gives not just the team but EVEYONE the belief that we can go further than ever? A lot of top teams are in decline. Italy, Germany, Spain are all faltering. Belgium showed in the WC they're average. If we qualify, a slightly favourable draw could see us not just finally get past the group, but possibly a round or two further. Lads like Tierney and Christie at their best are as good as anyone. Robbie, McGinn, McSauce we've got such a core of players at perhaps the highest, or close to, highest level? Probably a bit defeatist, but i would take just qualifying and getting out the group. The next two games are absolutely pivotal in this campaign, i have to admit i fear Haaland scoring against us and georgia have burnt us twice already. Take nothing away from last night though. Our best result since 2007. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheScarf Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 21 minutes ago, LoonsYouthTeam said: Fantastic post, sums it up so well. I'm 35 and been going to Scotland games since John McGinlay's winner v Sweden at Ibrox in 1997. This is far and away the best I've ever seen from the national side, the Euro 2008 campaign was great, but ultimately a failure. This team have already been a success and I'm sure will continue to succeed That was my first Scotland game too. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewanandmoreagain Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 31 minutes ago, Stellaboz said: Is this a pivotal moment for us? Yes, we've steadily got better over past get years and had some tremendous results but is this the one that gives not just the team but EVEYONE the belief that we can go further than ever? A lot of top teams are in decline. Italy, Germany, Spain are all faltering. Belgium showed in the WC they're average. If we qualify, a slightly favourable draw could see us not just finally get past the group, but possibly a round or two further. Lads like Tierney and Christie at their best are as good as anyone. Robbie, McGinn, McSauce we've got such a core of players at perhaps the highest, or close to, highest level? Let us see if we qualify first -4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSJ.84 Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 42 minutes ago, Donathan said: Being in league A of the nations league is an excellent opportunity to play more matches against teams of Spain’s calibre. While the initial aim will just be to avoid the drop, you need to factor in that we will probably take the format more seriously than some of the bigger hitters in league A. Out of interest, when’s the final for the Nations League? Need to make sure I’m off work… 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevieKTID Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 Just noticed that Pie & Bovril has gone up 12 places in the world rankings on the strength of this thread. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyderspaceman Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 4 hours ago, Double Jack D said: Absolutely. My wee boy's first game was Denmark. Since then been to Ireland, Cyprus and last night. He's 4-0 and strolled out of Hampden last night begging me to take him to Germany! It's going to be a tough come down for these lads at some point in the future! I'm 70 and want to go to Germany. Take me! I won't greet when we lose. (much) 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crawford Bridge Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 Why is the Spanish press making such a big deal about the booing directed at Porro? This is a nation that sees racism a just a bit of a laugh. Why has booing offended them so much? 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H Wragg Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 I've just sat and read this entire thread from kick off last night right up to the present. Congratulations to all involved. P&B at its finest. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyderspaceman Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 1 hour ago, Andy_K_97 said: One other thing - if you want a good laugh at Pedro Porro's expense, I strongly recommend reading this fun article here They seem overly concerned a bout 'boos from the stands'. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_K_97 Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 Just now, cyderspaceman said: They seem overly concerned a bout 'boos from the stands'. Indeed - I, personally, thought it was tremendous from the north stand in particular with how sudden and loud the boos were when Porro (or anyone on that side of the park) got the ball. There's no doubt that the Tartan Army had a part to play in last night's win, and they definitely added to Porro and Joselu's frustrations. I have a feeling that Spain will be out for revenge when we meet them in the Autumn... But Clarke will have us focused and hopefully well-drilled enough to avoid being riled by the home fans. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crawford Bridge Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 2 minutes ago, Andy_K_97 said: Indeed - I, personally, thought it was tremendous from the north stand in particular with how sudden and loud the boos were when Porro (or anyone on that side of the park) got the ball. There's no doubt that the Tartan Army had a part to play in last night's win, and they definitely added to Porro and Joselu's frustrations. I have a feeling that Spain will be out for revenge when we meet them in the Autumn... But Clarke will have us focused and hopefully well-drilled enough to avoid being riled by the home fans. I hope Clarke's instructions to the players that night are to "fa' aboot the place". Play them at their own shan game. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_K_97 Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 1 minute ago, Crawford Bridge said: I hope Clarke's instructions to the players that night are to "fa' aboot the place". Play them at their own shan game. To be fair I thought we were quite good at that last night - the ref gave us a reasonable amount of fouls that probably shouldn't have been fouls, with the Spanish also getting a few. Lots to happen between now and then, though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoo61 Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 43 minutes ago, Andy_K_97 said: Indeed - I, personally, thought it was tremendous from the north stand in particular with how sudden and loud the boos were when Porro (or anyone on that side of the park) got the ball. There's no doubt that the Tartan Army had a part to play in last night's win, and they definitely added to Porro and Joselu's frustrations. I have a feeling that Spain will be out for revenge when we meet them in the Autumn... But Clarke will have us focused and hopefully well-drilled enough to avoid being riled by the home fans. That ball boy n' all. Gallus as ye like, basically got Porro hooked all by himself. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyDD Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 We've had some cracking days and nights even in my time going to Scotland games (1-1 with Germany in the Vogts era kicked me off) but my word that was right up there amongst the absolute best of them all, in every respect; performance, atmosphere and result. Got back in the house shortly after 11 this morning and have done sweet f**k all else but watched and rewatched highlights, read reaction, scrolled through twitter, hell I even read Tom English's bumf. There was a real sense we could get something from this game but as gallus as I tried to play it, I did not envisage us snuffing them out so effectively. They really had that one spell within the game where they looked like they were going to overwhelm us but it seemed like getting to halftime killed that off. The second goal especially seemed to break what little spirit that incredibly unlikeable spanish side had about them. Rodri and his pals making exhibitions of themselves during and after the game was of course an added wee slice of delight on what was an already sumptuous treat. Dry yer eyes ya gonks. We absolutely merited that win and had we scored a third right at the death following Mcgregor's brilliant wee mazey, it would have been entirely deserved. Porteous would genuinely stick the but on an asteroid if it was making its way into the Scotland box. Guy is a sensation. Everyone was brilliant. Gunn had pretty much nothing to do most of the evening but f**k it, he was brilliant anawl. Tierney, Mcgregor, McTominay, Robertson, Christie, Hanley, Hickey, Dykes, even the subs, every single one of them, just outstanding. What a team we have, what a squad, and Clarke is an out and out genius. Guy behind me at the game, upon seeing just how high into the atmosphere the Spanish heeds had gone, declared him 'a genuine football terrorist'. His team fair terrorised the spanish into their meek white-hankey, piss-water display. Utterly pleasing on every level. Don't get carried away/we could still come a cropper against Georgia/Haaland could be back in June blah blah blah, we're getting out of this group, folks. With games to spare. Mass Ceilidh in Germany when we win the whole shebang. Heel toe here we go. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shandon Par Posted March 29, 2023 Share Posted March 29, 2023 1 hour ago, Jambomo said: I am always happy to admit when I am wrong I’ve only just seen his post match interview where they ask him about what Rodri was saying. His response was disappointingly professional and mature, not even a smirk. Looks like you can take Leith out a man after all. Reminded me of the first time seeing an interview with the guy who played Father Jack in Father Ted. Or the boy who plays Jamie Tartt in Ted Lasso. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.