wanderer Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Just signed a 4 year pre-contract with Hamburg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyD Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Good move for him. Hopefully he can prove himself in a quality league and doesn't drop off the radar because the German league isn't on the telly that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caledonian Craig Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 It is a good move. Fingers crossed it works for him and he can use it as a springboard into the Scotland national side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrelhumper Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Strange signing for them as I'm not really convinced he's that great. Good luck to the lad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted April 12, 2018 Author Share Posted April 12, 2018 Hamburg will most likely get relegated this season, so probably a element of cost cutting for next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyD Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 22 minutes ago, Squirrelhumper said: Strange signing for them as I'm not really convinced he's that great. Good luck to the lad. He looks like he has the ability. He's had games where he looks like a proper player. I think the problem is consistency, and if heading over to Germany and shift in culture helps him get that focus that you need to play at a high end at the back, then we might have a quality defender on our hands. All if's of course, but there is a player there, just needs to turn up week in, week out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BraveheartGordon Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Delighted to see any young Scottish player moving abroad, he’s a terrific defender in terms of doing the basics and was outstanding for Rangers in the 0-0 old-firm game. Needs to improve his use of the ball to get to the very top and hopefully Germany will do that for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudScot Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 1 hour ago, wanderer said: Hamburg will most likely get relegated this season, so probably a element of cost cutting for next season. They’re 5 points outside the relegation zone with 5 games left - think they will be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted April 12, 2018 Author Share Posted April 12, 2018 2 minutes ago, ProudScot said: They’re 5 points outside the relegation zone with 5 games left - think they will be fine 2nd bottom, 5 points off Mainz for the relegation play-off, and 9 points off safety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LewisEDI Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 strange one this, not seen much of the boy tbh. if he is at at the level of playing for hamburg (now or potentially) then you wouldn't think rangers would be wanting to let him go, maybe something behind the scenes here? not as if rangers are great at the back. good luck to the boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaid Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 3 hours ago, ProudScot said: They’re 5 points outside the relegation zone with 5 games left - think they will be fine They've been flirting with relegation for the last few seasons. I think this year they'll go down and the clock will stop ticking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde1998 Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 Even if Hamburg are in the second division next season, I think it will be a good move for him - will hopefully allow him to develop beyond what he'd be able to playing for Rangers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davew Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 15 hours ago, wanderer said: 2nd bottom, 5 points off Mainz for the relegation play-off, and 9 points off safety. Hamburg need 13 points from 5 games to be safe. 10 points from 5 games might be enough for the play-off. The problem is, they've won only 1 game all season away from home and they have 3 away games still to play. The way I see it, they're maybe capable of winning 1 away game and 2 home games. Hamburg are 99.99% relegated already. But that's not a bad thing for David Bates. He'll get game time, and Bundesliga II is a fairly high standard, and a very competitive league. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaid Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 German mates of mine reckon that when - not if - Hamburg get relegated there will be absolute mayhem, a good chance the players will be attacked by the fans. For Bates, it does represent a good opportunity but if HSV don't get off to a good start next season then there will be a really bad atmosphere around the club and probably won't be the most pleasant environment to work in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaid Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 For those that aren't aware, HSV are the only club who have played in the top division of the Bundesliga in every season since it was formed in 1963. There is a clock in the stadium that counts the number of minutes that they have been in the Bundesliga to prove that point - much to the annoyance of every other set of fans. If - when - they get relegated, it isn't just a bad season it's a major deal. It won't be necessarily be a case of go down, regroup and come back up. For every team in Bundesliga 2 - derbys apart - games against HSV will be the biggest games of the season and you can expect the opposition to raise their game accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzo Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 I have a pal who's a steward at HSV, the last home game of the season is usually mayhem but she is up to high doe about the end of this season. They've been flirting with relegation for the past few seasons. The most memorable was in 2015 when they scored right at the death in the play off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaid Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) 6 minutes ago, bonzo said: I have a pal who's a steward at HSV, the last home game of the season is usually mayhem but she is up to high doe about the end of this season. They've been flirting with relegation for the past few seasons. The most memorable was in 2015 when they scored right at the death in the play off. That was the game against Karlsruhe. As you said, it was right at the death and they scored with a direct free kick from outside the box to take it into extra time which they then won. It was never a foul for the free kick in a million years. I've just had a quick look for footage - funnily enough all the clips seem to show the free kick but not the "foul" leading up to it. Funny that. Edited April 13, 2018 by aaid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzo Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) 16 minutes ago, aaid said: That was the game against Karlsruhe. As you said, it was right at the death and they scored with a direct free kick from outside the box to take it into extra time which they then won. It was never a foul for the free kick in a million years. I've just had a quick look for footage - funnily enough all the clips seem to show the free kick but not the "foul" leading up to it. Funny that. That was it. Even last season they beat wolfsburg in the last game (scored late late again)to pull clear of the play offs. Edited April 13, 2018 by bonzo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 36 minutes ago, aaid said: German mates of mine reckon that when - not if - Hamburg get relegated there will be absolute mayhem, a good chance the players will be attacked by the fans. For Bates, it does represent a good opportunity but if HSV don't get off to a good start next season then there will be a really bad atmosphere around the club and probably won't be the most pleasant environment to work in. Looking at Bundasliga 2, this year it does not look anywhere near as strong as it has in previous years, with Düsseldorf and Nuremberg fighting it out for the title. So (on paper) Hamburg should be clear favourites to come straight back up, but as you said, they will be viewed as the prize scalp for a lot of teams next season (especially St Pauli, even though they are flirting with relegation also). if they go down, Bates should still be playing at a fairly reasonable level, and hopefully consistently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N4Footsoldier Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Great attributes for a defender and when on his game can be outstanding - as referenced the 0-0 old firm game. Consistency is key however, it's clear at Rangers they are keen to go with more experience even though I don't think Alves or Russel Martin have covered themselves in glory since moving to the SPFL. It could be a great move for him if he can get a run of games. As far as I've been aware he's never been mentioned for the Scotland squad, but if he can prove himself god knows we need coverage at CB. Good luck to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wanderer Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 14 minutes ago, N4Footsoldier said: As far as I've been aware he's never been mentioned for the Scotland squad, but if he can prove himself god knows we need coverage at CB. Good luck to him. McLeish said had he been fit he would have been in the squad for the games the other week there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N4Footsoldier Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 1 hour ago, wanderer said: McLeish said had he been fit he would have been in the squad for the games the other week there. Ah well there you go! Hopefully be beneficial for him performance-wise although the 2 debut inclusions at CB in McKenna and Hendry also impressed so if we can get competition there then I;m all for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parklife Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 I genuinely think he's absolutely rotten. I'd imagine he'll be a bench-warmer for a Bundesliga 2 team next season. Hardly worth getting excited about. Hope he proves me wrong though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyD Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 20 hours ago, LewisEDI said: strange one this, not seen much of the boy tbh. if he is at at the level of playing for hamburg (now or potentially) then you wouldn't think rangers would be wanting to let him go, maybe something behind the scenes here? not as if rangers are great at the back. good luck to the boy. Seems Hamburg just wanted him more and were willing to offer more than rangers were. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43757485 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ormond Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 4 hours ago, aaid said: For those that aren't aware, HSV are the only club who have played in the top division of the Bundesliga in every season since it was formed in 1963. There is a clock in the stadium that counts the number of minutes that they have been in the Bundesliga to prove that point - much to the annoyance of every other set of fans. If - when - they get relegated, it isn't just a bad season it's a major deal. It won't be necessarily be a case of go down, regroup and come back up. For every team in Bundesliga 2 - derbys apart - games against HSV will be the biggest games of the season and you can expect the opposition to raise their game accordingly. We knocked them out of the UEFA Cup the year they were favourites to win it in 71. The recently departed John Lambie playing in both legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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