Super_Scotlandfan

Jack Harper just scored for Malaga’s first team against a fellow La Liga 2 team, encouraging but v early days!

Yes, I was about to make a similar point. Glad others realise is it’s very difficult for a small nation to have depth at age group levels. Thought our 2 best players were just as good, if not better than their best players. As long as we can bring 2 or 3 very good players through at every age grade plus 1 or 2 brilliant players we’ll have a squad capable of making tournaments. There are a lot of young players coming through at the moment, not necessarily at under 21 level but we don’t need them to be. Need to remember that McCrorie (20) was injured (would have played in Wilson’s position today and been a lot more composed). McKenna is only 21, Tierney is 21, Souttar is 21, Hendry is 23. McTominay is 21, Morgan is 21, Henderson is 22, Gauld is 22, McBurnie is 22. Think Jack Aitchison (18) would’ve played this week too if he wasn’t injured lately. It’s hard for us to select an under 21 squad, just because of our population, that will all end up being pro’s. We shouldn’t be too down we can’t beat England. As long as we nourish our really good young players (and it seems to me we have a lot at the moment) we’ll build a successful senior team.

Burke looked so disinterested. Came alive a wee bit at the end but only when he knew he was coming off. Seemed like he had bit of a moan when he got back to the bench too.

So Ryan Gauld played for Aves tonight in their last league game of the season. Clearly wasn’t deemed as a player the manager wanted on the pitch in the important games. Ended up getting an assist and from reports at the game, was their best player. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s seems he just wasn’t the correct fit for this team or manager. The talent, ability and willingness is definitely there. I can see him staying in Portugal next season playing for a side that likes to play football on the deck and values a creative player like Gauld. Predicting he’ll be in the Scotland squad next season if he finds the correct team.

Interested as to why you think he's 'rotten'? Think he had a couple of poor moments when he was thrown in to the deep end last season. But this season, since he's been given a regular game, he's done really well. As far as I'm aware hasn't made many mistakes, is very good in the air, and generally does simple defending very well. He needs to work on his passing but at 21 he has plenty of time. He's obviously been scouted by Hamburg and is seen as being good enough for them, Rangers would have had him sign a new deal if they could afford it, and McLeish would have called him up but for injury. He's actually similar to McKenna. Similar type of defender, same age, didn't get rave reviews last year and has broken through this year. He's not played as many games but that's only due to injury. Hopefully that's not a fragility in him.

Thought earlier this season Paterson could make the right back/right wing back position his own but after watching him for Scotland and Cardiff recently I don’t think he’s got the defensive or techinical ability to play there. A lot of our players are technical and like to play with the ball on the ground...that’s very different to how Cardiff play. He’s probably valuable to have in the squad due to his versatility and physicality but he shouldn’t be starting for Scotland if we want to play with the ball on the ground. Ryan Fraser and Forrest can both play wing back...that’s good enough for me at the moment, we’re trying to make 352 work. And in the future someone like McKenna might just pop up. Might be McCrorie as a right back. Get Paterson on when we’re desperate for a goal and need to change our system.

Going forward I don’t see too much of a point in playing Mulgrew just for experience sake. His ability to play out from the back is an asset but he’s just too poor defensively (as evidenced by these two games). Maybe you’d want an experienced centre back if, in our next competitive games, we were up against Lewandowski, Bale or Mandzukic. Instead we’re playing teams and attackers that aren’t experienced at playing at the highest level. Lets build a young defensive now in the upcoming friendlies and in the nations league. Give them the experience. One or two experienced centre backs in the squad wouldn’t do any harm but hopefully we move forward with a mix of Tierney, McKenna, Hendry, Souttar and Lindsay...possibly Bates or McCrorie (depending on game time and where McCrorie is played).

I definitely wouldn’t say it’s a very poor squad. That squad should have beaten Andorra by at least 2 or 3 goals no matter what. Most of the squad have played a lot of senior football and some have already got their ‘big moves’. The fault must be on the management here. Just having a quick look through the team that played, Souttar has played multiple seasons of senior football and is playing for a Hearts team who have a good defensive record. Cadden is having a good season playing every game for his club, many are tipping him for a move, same with Taylor and Campbell. Greg Docherty has already got his big move and is playing for a Rangers team that are playing their best football of the season, Mallan was brilliant for St Mirren, now plays in the English Championship, Morgan is thought of as being the most exciting Scottish youngster...massive move to Celtic. Burke...two huge moves, has played in top leagues in Germany and England. Hardie upfront has scored 5 in 5 for Livingston, playing for them is a step up from Andorran under 21’s. There’s no way that team should have been anywhere close to getting beaten by Andorra. Fault shouldn’t be on players that are playing well for their senior teams at a good level. It’s up to the manager to organise them and get them playing football capable of beating Andorra. There’s no way they should be getting hammerings from anyone in this group too.

I think most of the negativity was in the immediate aftermath of the game, so pretty understandable. We have to factor in that there’s a lot of new players, new formation and new manager. Hope McLeish continues on with the 3 at the back, we can dump it if it fails within the next and the friendlies in the summer. Maybe we could play one half against Hungary with a 4 and the other a 3. I think the individuals chosen at each position in the back 3 were wrong. Thought McKenna was solid but struggles a bit with his distribustion, he’d be more effective in the middle. I guess this is easily solved by bringing in Tierney. The right centre back is a little more difficult, should we bring in Hendry or Souttar? I actually think Callum Paterson might be a good option here but maybe not until he’s played there for his club. Thought he was poor as a wing back, he isn’t neat enough on the ball and can’t swing in a decent enough cross to play here. I guess he was a good outlet as someone to hit with a long ball but that’s not what your looking for in a wing back. Forrest and Fraser have both played here this season and impressed, would make much more sense to bring them in. Paterson should be used as an attacking midfielder or utility forward against sides that are poor physically. (And maybe RCB!) Thought that McDonald didn’t seem mobile enough to play as an international defensive midfielder. I think we should leave this role for McTominay to grow into. Thought he was OK but he’s only young and will improve. Was disappointed in Cairney but he seemed confused in what role he was playing. He’s central in everything good that Fulham do and isn’t expected to do any tracking back. I’d like McLeish to persevere because in my opinion he is a brilliant player on the ball and is a potential match winner. Needs to play directly behind the striker. Didn’t think that Ritchie had as bad a game as some are making out. He wanted to get on the ball and make things happen (Cairney should have done more of this). He linked up well on occasion but didn’t seem to have the final ball. McBurnie looked good, can hold the ball up well and I think he’s got that bit of confidence a striker needs. That ball across goal he missed was a touch of the Steven Fletcher’s though. Armstrong looked really good when he came on too. Can really drive us forward and is always looking to make a run into the box. He’s a must start when fit. Next game something like this: Archer Forrest Hendry McKenna Mulgrew Robertson Armstrong McTominay McGinn or McGregor Cairney McBurnie

Think this is a poor choice. He was the experienced defender I would have left out the squad. Never been convinced with his defending and with so many central defenders coming through I don’t see why he’s even in the squad. Someone like Cristophe Berra is simply a better central defender proved over his entire career and more importantly this season. Scoring a few free kicks and penalties at league 1 level shouldn’t mean a place in the squad and captain of his country. Hopefully im proven wrong but hopefully it’s Tierney over the long term.

I'd be pretty pissed if I was Snodgrass, McArthur or Berra. All having good seasons. Notice that some are mentioning that Berra is carrying an injury so maybe its fair enough if he's been left out to rest. Snodgrass leads the assist charts (12) in the Championship and has scored 7. He's also been a very important player to us in previous campaigns and at 30 he's not past it. Has McLeish left him out just to have a look at some new players? I'd say that Christie, Phillips (picked as a striker!?), Murphy and Ritchie (not a regular for Newcastle) are lucky to be picked over him. Some aren't even much younger than Snodgrass. McArthur has been a regular and playing well for a Premier League team. I'm not sure how you could justify McLean, McDonald or McGeough over him. Again both aren't much younger and McLean looked out of his depth against Netherlands. Saying that, these players and Liam Lindsay not being called up are my only gripes. And it's probably good to have a look guys like Christie, McDonald and McGeough. Maybe Snodgrass, McArthur and Berra will come back in for the competitive games. Out of this Squad I'd like, McLaughlin Hanley McKenna Tierney Forrest Robertson Armstrong McTominay McGinn Cairney McBurnie For me the 'must starts' are Tierney, Robertson, McTominay and Cairney.

For me Gauld will still ‘make it’ and get multiple caps for us. He won’t be the player we hoped though. This season has been a disaster, maybe he hasn’t been at his best but the manager at Aves clearly doesn’t like him even though he’s making impressive cameo appearances. He just doesn’t fit in...Aves seem to play direct, physical football, the manager obviously doesn’t think a neat, short passing, creative player is required. But I guess if he truly was going to be world class he’d manage to force his way in no matter how his manager wants to play. His next move is going to be very important and hopefully a permanent one because not many clubs change a system to suit a player you’re only going to have for a season. He needs to find a club that will start him and suit him. There are probably teams in Portugal that would give him this but maybe he needs a change. I think English championship clubs will be interested just because of his pedigree in Scotland. And surely a Christie-less Aberdeen will too. Hopefully he can kick on from there and go up a level. Thoughts on the others...Burke will be very important us. He does seem lazy and lack footballing itelligence but he’s still only 20. He’s got time to improve his work ethic and learn the game at this level. Probably needs a season in the Championship, we’ll learn a bit more about his attitude there too. Harper will likely not make it. He’s playing at a very weak level and not impressing enough to make the first team manager give him a spot on the bench for a Malaga team struggling to score. Not sure about Mallan. Barnsley fans seem to like him even though he’s not getting much game time. He’ll be up against players like McGregor, Cairney, Christie, (hopefully Gauld!) to get into the full squad.

I’d like to see O’Donnell do well for another season at this level before he’s thought about. It’s hard to see how a 25 year old could have made this jump to Scotland standard. But maybe he has. Plenty think that Jason Naismith at County is going on to bigger things too. Reckon teams like Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts will be looking at him for next season. Maybe he’s more likely to get capped?

I’d almost pick the exact same squad as you. I’d drop Mulgrew though. I don’t think we need to be picking 32 year olds playing in League 1. And I’m still not convinced of his defensive capabilities. I’d give his place to Hanley. Playing well for Norwich and I think he’s the kind of centre back to improve with age, I wouldn’t give up on him yet. I’d be tempted by Hendry over McKenna too. I think you’re right about Fletcher too. I’d find a place for him even if we didn’t intend in playing him. I’m excited to see a centre midfield of Cairney, McTominay and either Armstrong or McGinn. I think Cairney is brilliant, can’t believe he hasn’t been picked up by a top 10 English club. If he can carry over his form for Fulham to us, we’ll be creating a ton of chances and playing some really good football. And McTominay could be the perfect player the shore up the midfield. McGinn or Armstrong can play the box to box type. To me this seems like a more dynamic and creative midfield than a Brown, Morrison, McCarthur type. Hopefully we get to see it in the friendlies.

He played well according this article. Saw his goal too, really nice first touch and finish. http://www.insidewalessport.co.uk/talented-mcburnie-delivers-promising-display/ From what i’ve read and the bits and pieces I’ve seen Lindsay deserves a call up too.

This news sounds more legitimate. Promising!

Daily Star claiming that they’ve got an exclusive. A ‘source’ claims McTominay has chosen England and could be called up this month. Said he made the decision after speaking with Rashford and Lingard.

There's Matt Smith too. Probably having his best season in the Championship and it might be quite useful having a 6'6'' striker in the squad. We're almost always going to play with one up front so three strikers in the squad is enough. It's looking like Griffiths, McBurnie and one of Martin, Smith or Cummings. It's definitely a weak area but if McBurnie turns out to be a good Championship/lower end Premier League striker and Griffiths stays injury free it wont look so bad.

You’re right...maybe our manager who’d rather be managing Birmingham City can convince him instead. Noticed he’s got a big brother (eligible for us) who’s 21 playing for Grimsby. Winger who’s scored 4 and assisted 3 this season and apparently had Crystal Palace scouts watching him. Don’t see why he wouldn’t merit an under 21 call up for our next qualifying games. Maybe he can do the convincing!

Yeah the story makes out he just didn’t want to play against England for Scotland. But he could have played our two previous U16 games without upsetting them. He didn’t need to represent England at under 15 level in what seemed to be a B game. Hopefully he changes his mind in the next couple of years because he seems the real deal. Ive got a feeling he’ll move to England when he’s 16 though and we’ll have less of a chance to persuade him to play for the country that brought him up. Hoping some of the senior Scottish Celtic boys can help influence him to stay up here and represent us.

Point is that he’s not eligible and will never be eligible for any British nation. Somehow the English press and FA forget the rules every 6 months.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/bayer-leverkusen-leon-bailey-england-12042341 News story claiming Leon Bailey can play for England due to having Grandparents holding British passports. (According to the Bundesliga website they have English passports!!!! https://www.bundesliga.com/en/news/Bundesliga/england-keen-on-leon-bailey-for-world-cup-bayer-leverkusen-winger-jamaica-473780.jsp). No mention of these Grandparents being born in England. If this was the case Bailey could play for Scotland too... Surely this is the EFA and the English press not understanding the rules once again. This rule was changed after John Barnes was capped?

https://ibb.co/fMz1T7 Team lines from their game yesterday with Dembele as captain. Hopefully the link works.

Looks like it. He played in separate game they lost 1-0 in apparently.

Yeah seems cheeky England even made a move for him. But he was born there, why should they give a shit. I guess he might not turn out to be the player we hoped for anyway. We all know the history of our hyped up youth players.