Super_Scotlandfan

Yeah a lot of the designated players are older and signed for their high profile. I guess a direct comparison is Insigne who Toronto signed in 2022 (and has been out performed by Gauld). But he’s obviously still a very good player, the season he signed he had 11 goals and 9 assists for Napoli. Holsgrove should be a guy Clarke is watching. Doesn’t seem as if he’s a star player for them though and there’s lots of Scottish players ahead of him in that position.

He’s a designated player earning 40k a week, like other quality players in the league. It’s not like he’s a standard Vancouver player. He would have had multiple offers in top European leagues when he left Farense but chose Vancouver. He was already one of the highest rated players outside the big clubs in Portuguese league, a league that’s definitely good enough for our players. So no, the fact that he plays in Canada isn’t a good indication on how good he is.

Maybe Kenny McLean at LCB? One of Clarke’s favourites and has played centre back for Norwich this season. He’s decent in the air and would be able to join in attacks. Unlikely to be as defensively switched on or be able to make a Tierney Spain style run.

There’s no chance Dykes genuinely played centre midfield. He maybe dropped back a little.

Should definitely be in our under 21 squad. Decent praise from Earnshaw and Holloway at the end there too.

His run for his missed chance was very good. Just didn't look confident one-on-one. Definitely far more hope than Feruz. He has senior goals and assists in League 1. Has a really nice touch and an eye for a pass. Does seem a bit moany on the pitch which isn't usually the best trait.

Will be interesting to see how Karamoko Dembele gets on tonight against premier league opposition. Has done well at league 1 but this is the level he’ll want to be playing at.

Played well when he came on though. But that was a huge chance…

We are 16-1 to win at home tonight but were 9-1 in a close defeat away from home in September. Do the bookies actually believe that the players don’t care about this game?

McBurnie sent off for two yellows. Apparently both elbows that could have seen red card… Had a good chance to prove himself against a team of a similar standard too

Not saying that McBurnie deserves to be in the squad at the moment but he was pretty unlucky to not score in his early Scotland caps. From memory he has hit the bar/post twice with headers and had a 20 yarder off the bar. Lots of early subs off (most of the time because he was shite) and late subs on hasn’t helped his goals/game ratio either. Wouldn’t rule him out but he’s got a lot of improvements to make at club level first.

Kyle Joseph got a goal and assist for Blackpool today. Dembele won a pen (scored by Rhodes) and assisted Joseph. Joseph looked like a promising as an under 21 a couple of seasons ago. Has scored 19 goals in League 1...seems pretty good for a 22 year old. Would obviously need to step up a couple of levels to get a look in at senior level though.

Mad that Haaland and Sorloth are both out and they’ve still got a first choice La Liga striker to choose from. A Norway/Scotland combined squad would probably win the Euro’s 😂

Worth noting that Livramento is in the England under 21 squad and was name checked by Southgate for doing well this week. Staying with their under 21s for the time being and then re-assessing in a year or so, when he’s not eligible, probably makes sense to him.

Lawrence pulled out of the squad and wingers Fotheringham and Denholm called up to replace him. No Dembele still…

Played as a central midfielder too. Think he’s played this deeper role a bit more for them this season.

Probably Lawrence (apparently a right winger too) because he’d start for the under 19s but sit on the bench for the under 21s. He also hasn’t proven himself at Dembele’s level. And probably Mebude because he can’t be match fit.

Mebude hasn’t played since august, has been injured and had only started in one 45min half for his club who I assume are similar quality to Aberdeen, Hibs, Hearts. So I was surprised to see him. Not sure where Emilio Lawrence plays but he’s only 18, still eligible for the under 19s, hasn’t played any senior football or for our under 21s. Not sure why he’s involved unless very good. I’m guessing he’s a central striker. Bowie hasn’t scored in the same league as Dembele. Not saying he should be dropped but shows the level we’re picking from. Dembele’s 3 goals and assist for Blackpool does seem like he would have got a call up if he hadn’t changed allegiance 4 years ago.

Both him and Odegaard were named in the Norway squad today

No Dembele in the under 21 squad. His form is good enough to be called up so potentially isn’t available to be selected.

Livramento is quality and will likely get England or Portugal caps. If he chooses us at this stage it would be a big coup. And would obviously show he has full commitment to us. But looks like he’ll be heavily involved in England under 21s, could win a trophy followed by an England squad place when Walker and Trippier retire.

Might mean Gordon comes straight back in. Won’t be ready for Scotland games though.

Some goal from Karamoko Dembele live on bbc2.

Jack Elliot is the one that’s been spoken about a bit before. Cameron Harper maybe? He’d be absolutely miles away from our squad though.

2nd goal of the season for Karamoko Dembele at Blackpool tonight. Not 21 until February so probably should be in our under 21s if he’s up for it.