ironbrew

A good manager gets the best out of his players. Looking at our squad, I think it was impressive to get to last day with a chance of playoffs. Also unlike other times there weren`t any matches where we get less points than we deserved though obviously draw with Lithuania and manner of losing late equaliser against England merit criticism. In fact we probably got more points than our play justified, surely a sign of a good manager?

Why no games in June? We`d only have 8 matches but there`d be 2 days when we`re not playing and others are so still no match days and i doubt other 4 teams would let us take our days off in June. In autumn 2018 if we`re in a group of 3 we`ll have 2 free days but hopefully there`ll be teams in other groups of 3 in other divisions who we could play in friendlies.

Agreed. We didn`t deserve to beat Lithuania at Hampden in fact we were lucky to get a point but throwing away 2 points against England at Hampden (even if undeserved over 90 minutes) was avoidable even if Slovenia also lost a late goal at Wembley.

2 international dates in November, another 2 in March and chance for a couple of friendlies before World Cup so possibly 6 matches before qualifiers (League of Nations or whatever it`s called) start. Good opportunity to get some young players and try to get a good start to qualifying.

From table it looks like we`ll make playoffs if we win but if we don`t Slovenia or Slovakia will probably be worst second.

Out of curiosity, what friends have we got? Will depend on politicians in charge of Scotland and of other countries but unless we suddenly become rich again eg oil prices rocketed I acn`t see many if any countries being too interested in us.

Is Kosovo actually recognised by all European countries? In football yes but that took a while and for other things I`m not sure. Spain (perhaps predicting current events) didn`t recognise Kosovo straight away and maybe still doesn`t and I think there were other countries too. With Kosovo/Catalonia comparison is it not partly because Spain ia a member of EU while Serbia isn`t and wasnt at time of Kosovo independence?

Where was this taken from? Is it really today? There was, apparently, a demonstration in the Puerta del Sol in Madrid in favour of freedom of speech and right for Catalans and others to vote.

Agree with this. Priority should be independence then let folk vote as they want. Understand people wanting to see Labour beat but some people seem to have voted Yes or for SNP after to get a further left party than Labour rather than to get independence. There are lots of Scots who`d happily live in an independent Scotland provided they can vote for a full range of parties like people elsewhere in Europe. Was great to leave labour party in turmoil but not if it means thousands of voters go back to them and their London masters at the first sign of discontent.

Unfortunately it seems like 2v0 was considered ok. A 5v0 would have given us some hope to get through with draw in Slovenia but looks unlikely now

Disappointing to say the least. Looks like goal difference wasn`t mentioned before either game. We all know we don`t have much quality but Lithuania and Malta were both very weak and I`m sure we could have added 4 to goal difference over 2 games. Even a 3-0 win against Slovakia won`t be enough for a draw to be ok in last game..

Is there not a fair chance we`ll finish 2nd with 20 points or even 18 on goal difference and have to wait 1 or 2 days to see if we`re worst runner up?

Unfortunately it looks like you`re right If we beat Malta and Slovakia we`ll still have to win in Slovenia. Asking a lot to have 2 big wins in 4 days. At least Slovenia will probably be out by time we play them.

50 years would allow Martin Buchan in. Not sure when he left Dons but he was in 1970 SC final. And John Blackley who played instead of Buchan against Zaire in 1974. Some good goalies-what about Bobby Clark though he may have been goalie in centenary match (0v5) against England. Was Baxter still at Rangers at end of 1967? Pat Stanton whether as midfielder or as central defender. Willie Johnston? Canniggia at Dundee?

Interesting questions. Likewise for street names. When I was younger I`d have been in favour of removing statues, changing street names etc but now I think it should only be done in extreme cases (statues of dictators etc)as I don`t think it`s necessary or even positive to remove history even if we don`t like it. I`m in favour of independence but that doesn`t mean that we should remove statues with connections to rest of UK after independence or disown or discredit Scottish writers, sports people, scientists etc just because they weren`t known nationalists. In Catalonia recently some more extreme nationalists were wanting to change names of streets in a village with names of famous artists and writers including Salvador Dali for maybe having Spanish sympathies too. Dali (as anyone who`s seen his Cristo in Glasgow) is world famous and brings a lot of prestige to Catalonia years after his death. Walter Scott was really a Scottish nationalist in a time when nationalism was not given much importance. If he`d expressed anti nationalist ideas and pro UK ideas in his writing would people suggest removing his monument or maybe changing the name?

Beautiful country but expensive though that was no surprise. Surprisingly few places to change money in cities and I couldn`t use cards as I`d had them stolen with wallet before I got to Switzerland. Some places say they`ll accept Euros then don`t seem too keen when you actually want to do so. Talking of currency, the only place where I changed (wife`s card saved me) was at Lugano station and they had different rates for Scottish and English pounds on list of foreign currencies. Not sure of how common that is. While in Switzerland I went on 2 of their famous rail routes (William Tell which includes boat trip and Golden Pass). I enjoyed both trips but saw nothing to compare with routes to Inverness, Oban, Fort William etc. I read that they were thinking of fitting observation carriages in some Scottish trains and it would certainly be a good idea along with a lot more promotion. Most of my fellow passengers seemed to be Indian or Arab rail enthusiasts who might be delighted to spend a lot of money in Scotland too if encouraged to do so.

Whatever happens with Rangers titles Scottish football should surely be looking to future to prevent clubs from flouting laws again. Have there been any changes (new laws/rules, more control and inspections..) to prevent repeats of Rangers case or even Gretna, Romanov Hearts, etc. Could measures not be put in place to curtail financial cheating before trophies are won to prevent trophy stripping decades after?

I lived in France and Spain in the 80s and Millar was very well-known among sports fans in both countries then. I always thought he deserved more recognition in Scotland maybe he would have got it if he`d won a Tour or Vuelta (was desperately unlucky not to at a time when Vuelta was more prestigious than now-it lost prestige when moved from spring to autumn I think). He wasn`t quite an Andy Murray but equivalent would have been a Scottish tennis player pre Murray getting to 3 or 4 Grand Slam finals. I remember gutter press harrassing him/her about 10 years ago so glad that she seems to have found a place in life. I`m no great cycling fan but Robert Millar and Graeme Obree are certainly two people who deserve a lot more recognition in Scotland than they have received.

Saw title "Traditional Glasgow pubs" and for some reason remembered a pub which used to be up from Queens Street Station near bus station called Matthew something (Reid`?) which I presume no longer exists. I went into it in only once and it was probably in early 80s . I was having a pint before catching a train and remember a couple walking in and the barman saying without really apologising "No women , they can get in down the road at the ----". The male member of the couple didn`t seem too put out so maybe it wasn`t that unusual at the time though it was the first time I`d seen it apart from odd place with a snug for women.

What other clubs went into admin after winning trophies while clearly overspending? Hearts and Gretna (if you include runners up medals, can`t remember their exact league success) would be obvious ones if trophies are to be struck off records but there may be more.

Apart from Murray brothers and I suppose Gordon Reid in wheelchair events are there any other Scots at Wimbledon this year? Someone called O`Mara in Men`s Doubles has residence as Arbroath on Wimbledon website.

Lots of information about routes through Trieste on seat61.com Sure I read that there have been problems with tram this year Tailor Made Rail webpage also useful especially if you contact them.

Spending 4 or 5 days in Switzerland between time in Italy and France later this summer. Presume it`s easy to change Euros everywhere? I spent a day in Zurich about 5 years ago and just used Euros but know it was more expensive than Francs . Will have a full day in Lugano and Lucerne and an evening and morning in Montreux. Any ideas for things to do?

Would love to go to Roland Garros. Unlike Wimbledon I`ve noticed centre courts seem to be often empty. Was watching qualifying on Eurosport today and atmosphere seemed great on Court 6 for French player (Matthieu?) and he clearly enjoyed support. Maybe it`s better to go to outside courts than near empty central ones.

Dont follow NFL so don`t know if match has been played but have been to Richmond and agree with everything said here but what I remember most from being at river pubs etc ia that planes flew over every 2 or 3 minutes.