Barney Rubble

Any international travel is a risk at present. Caveat emptor.

I wasn't being serious about Ralston. As things stand, he's not an upgrade on O'Donnell. If Patterson doesn't get games and Ramsay continues his impressive start, then Ramsay should at least be called into the squad for Clarke to have a closer look.

Anthony Ralston seems intent on mounting a challenge....................................😉

Vertical drinking.

Upvote from me.

OK have it your way. Ukraine were absolute non-entities and our result against them, despite their status at that time, can be discounted. Does that sound better?

In the interests of balance, had a look at their record in detail: Including WC 2006, 2006 - 2008 all games (34) Lost to Spain, Italy x 2 , France, Scotland and Netherlands - no other losses. Several decent draws (Italy, France), but no victories against high ranked sides. So in fairness, perhaps their ranking was skewed by WC 2006 performance. Still taking it as a significant scalp for Scotland at that time though - because it was!!

No, fully intended for this thread. No mistake, they were a top-tier side at the time, and not just because of Shevchenko.

Ukraine were certainly top tier material 2005 - 2008.

They were WC QF the year before. Damn right it was a bloody good result - even more so in the context of the composition of the group.

Denmark winning Euro 92 was a stunning achievement by any standards. And that'll be Belgium who were runners up in Euro 80, and third in WC 86 and 18 (beating England to achieve it in the latter case) - ahead of England in all three of those tournaments? You've not really thought this through have you?

W v Ukraine 2007, D v Germany 2003.

As a Thistle fan, I've had the benefit of watching Stephen O'Donnell for ten years now. He has not achieved his current status as Scotland's first choice RB/RWB through being a limited player. One other factor to bear in mind - what position did the current national team manager play? Not only that, the current manager was his club manager for two seasons or more. All valid considerations. Nathan Patterson may well go on to become Scotland's best RB/RWB since Danny McGrain - and I sincerely believe he could be that good if he shapes up defensively - but not at this moment and probably not for a year or so.

Dunno - BBC had McFadden on before the Hungary-France game, and Souness spoke well about the team pre the Portugal-Germany game. And it was fun to hear the English pundits rip into the weaknesses of their own team. Gary Neville in particular was scathing.

Double post.

We get it that you have a hard-on for Patterson - the same man who has yet to get ahead of Tavernier in the Sevco team. That's not a reason to spout pish about Stephen O'Donnell who is hands down the best RB/RWB available to Steve Clarke for this tournament. He's been more than reliable for Scotland in his 21 caps to date - and has contributed to several goals in that time too, most recently against Luxembourg. Honestly - you are embarrassing yourself with this view.

Stephen O'Donnell was exceptional last night, especially after the rubbish that's been written about him since Monday. That's the proper credit he is due, not tedious caveats about him being limited and him holding the jersey while Patterson or someone else gets up to speed. Steve Clarke picks him for a reason. Further credit to him for his dignified and measured post match interview.

Take a break RH - you've laboured the point now.

Have to agree, we all want this decision to work well. It's less of a risk than blooding Patterson in this game though - he's nowhere near ready for this level of test yet.

Speaks volumes for what he thinks about Hendry's performance on Monday. Doesn't trust his decision making.

Change the script lads, please. That one was already recited to tedium on here on Monday night. Let's get behind all of the squad for the upcoming games instead - irrespective of whom the manager picks to start.

Played there for an hour v Netherlands. So of course he isn't.

All good points. I get the impression that Clarke sees Patterson as a serious option after this summer, and his current inclusion may be more attuned to get him acquainted with the standards required to be the first option. Fraser and Forrest are way ahead of him right now as back-ups to O'Donnell. Yes - you did read that right.

Patterson. Got done for speed twice defensively. Had four opportunities to hit the byeline and cut inside every time. He's one for the future but not for this tournament - barring something unfortunate to other players.

Mo Johnston v France in March 1989. Mo Johnston v France in March 1989.