HighlandScot
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Posts posted by HighlandScot
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I would love to see Tom Cairney in the squad, but unfortunately highly unlikely.
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For holding midfield, Jack is not the player he once was. I think Hickey would be ideal for that role. Another potential candidate though is Souttar. Ok like Hickey he would be playing out of his regular position, but like Hickey has all the attributes, and likely could easily adapt. I would not say I am normally in agreement with Craig Levein, but he touted Souttar as holding midfielder.
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Yes, I agree with Scot1, Hickey has all the attributes for great holding midfielder, allowing Patterson the freedom to attack. For midfield I would go...
Hickey
McTominay Ferguson McGinn
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The Daily Record is reporting the very encouraging news Kieran Tierney is "expected to exercise normally during Sociedad training before the weekend's clash with Sevilla."
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Kevin Nisbet scores late consolation goal for Millwall.
It is disconcerting to see Ross Stewart mysteriously not even on the bench for Southampton, as I was hoping he would start.
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For long I have thought the "Keep right on to the end of the road" chorus to make a great Scotland chant. It starts off low in the register, but gradually moves up the scale, rising to a crescendo with "Where all you love that you're deaming of". And then the last line has a great rhythm "Will be there" pause "at the end" pause "of the road". It is easy to sing, and very dramatic. Plus an iconic Scottish song, so we do not have to borrow from another culture. Plus the words are a great metaphor for having a fighting spirit in the face of adversity.Also, like another earlier poster, I would like to hear a return of "Get In Tae Them".
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Taylor and Brown should never have started. It is so obvious to everyone but Clarke. Get Doig and Shankland on. Plus Ferguson for McLean or Armstrong.
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My main hope today is to get the win, regardless of the team. But I would like to see starts for both Doig and Shankland. Doig is the likely long-term successor to Robertson, and already a better option than Taylor. And I agree with many others on here Shankland deserves his chance, not only for his goal in Georgia but current club form.
Get in tae them!
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I was never much of a fan of Adams until his goal against Denmark which he took like a top international striker. But ever since he has failed to impress. He tries hard, but only a journeyman striker, and not international class. Also he plays in support of the target man, and not the main striker himself. Dykes, Stewart, Shankland and Nisbet should all be ahead of Adams. Of that group I am confident Ross Stewart is the answer, good scoring record, mobile, good in the air at both ends, good hold up play, plus works his socks off, essential when employing a high press.
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In the circumstances I like Caledonian Craig's team, apart from Taylor who I would replace wih Doig. Taylor is too lightweight and will be targeted, whereas Doig is a big powerful unit, with good engine and much more of a threat in attack.
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Taylor is a weak link and will be targeted. Doig is a far better option for left back. But Clarke will likely go with Taylor.
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If Clarke was at Celtic Park yesterday hopefully he noticed Taylor have a poor game. Another who is very lucky to be in the squad is Jack, not nearly so influential as a few years ago. Against Spain I would definitely play a holding midfielder, but Hickey and Souttar ahead of Jack.
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For me Tierney is a huge loss as nobody can play the Tierney role like he does. At LCB he does not attack often, but when he does it is to great effect. If playing a back 5, I agree with other posters Hickey and Kingsley are the best approximations for the Tierney role, though I would also add Souttar. My preference though would be to revert to a back 4 with Hickey anchoring the midfield in the holding position, flanked by McTominay and Doig. This frees Patterson to attack on the right, plus Doig to augment Robertson to bomb forward on the left. Doig is a big unit with great engine who, like Patterson and Robertson, can carry the ball forward at pace. McTominay, Doig, Ferguson and McGinn are all adept at supporting Dykes by making late runs into the box.
It is tough to leave out Gilmour and, though it will never happen, my team would be:
Gunn
Patterson Porteous Hendry Robertson
Hickey
McTominay Doig
Ferguson McGinn
Dykes
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I agree with Scot1, Hickey would be great in holding midfield. For me McGregor is good on the ball, but lax in marking and tracking. When the opposition have the ball I am always watching our shape and tightness in marking, and McGregor is invariably in acres of space! Hickey would really tighten things up, allowing us to better implement a high press. Another who could perform the holding midfield role is Souttar.
An additional advantage to Hickey in midfield is making space for Patterson, offering a much more potent attacking threat. Currently, until Doak arrives, as compared to Robertson and Tierney on the left, there is not much attack on the right.
I also agree with the posters who would like to see more than cameo appearances from Ferguson. He operates mostly in McGinn’s position, and we are lucky to have him in case (heaven forbid) anything happens to McGinn. I like both Armstrong and McLean, but Ferguson is the future.
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Clyde1998 said he hoped we would learn from tonight. I hope he is right but have my doubts as Clarke is too set in his ways, no plan B, blind loyalty to old favorites, in particular McGregor. If Clarke wants to improve the team he should start with the basics of tight marking and tracking runners. We have quick defenders, and midfielders with good engines, so all the ingredients for a high press. But today England had extra men open all over the place. Even against Cyprus we alowed them far too much possession. McGregor is by far the worst offender, constantly ball watching, never tracking. He needs to be dropped. Adams is never a target man, and pointless being played alone up front. We have the best crop of players in years and the makings of a great side, but Clarke's selections, tactics questionable.
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Elliott Anderson was a complete surprise, but what a bonus as I can see him getting loads of caps. Thankfully this time there is no mention of Greg Taylor who seems a great lad, but nowhere near international class. In his place though I would have liked to have seen Josh Doig, a big powerful unit with good engine who makes signature storming runs. Ryan Jack is not the player he once was, and Hayden Hackney seems a better option for holding midfielder. So long as they are not playing in their recognised positions, Aaron Hickey, John Souttar, and even Kieran Tierney would all be great in the holding role, further reason to think about ditching Jack. Also, if we need to change shape, Ben Doak would give us something different up front. Other than that, a pretty good squad.
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According to BBC report of QPR v Norwich... "However, Scotland striker Dykes had to come off just after the hour mark with what appeared to be a knee injury."... So hopefully nothing serious.
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Like ghorne67 I am disappointed to see the inclusion of both Ryan Jack and Kenny Mclean, as neither have been playing regularly nor performing at former levels. I would much prefer instead Hayden Hackney who gets rave reviews at Middlesborough plus Tom Cairney who has been starting regularly for Fulham and playing really well. Clark has a tendency to favour loyalty over form. But then again, with no disrespect to the player, I am happy to finally see the omission of Jacob Brown.
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Callum Paterson named man of the match on BBC site tonight. He is still only 28.
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Ok he has not been capped for about 6 years, but Tom Cairney is another midfielder who can score from distance, with great left foot and should not be forgotten.
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But within minutes of throwing Blackpool a relegation lifeline Fiorini concedes a penalty!
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Lewis Fiorini just scored on loan at Blackpool, a good strike from distance.
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With Armstrong, Jack, McLean all 31 and likely to be phased out soon, is Mark O'Hara worthy of a call-up? OK he is already 27, but a physical presence with good engine and goal threat.
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Whatever the formation Tierney has to play. So long as Tierney is on the field we always have a chance.
Scotland v Holland and Northern Ireland
in TA specific
Posted
It is great to see Craig Gordon back, but I share the sentiments of others thinking 4 keepers is excessive, and would rather have seen an additional outfield player. Clarke is also too fond of the loyalty card. Greg Taylor seems a good lad, but far too lightweight defensively, plus does not fit the profile of overlapping fullback when we play no wingers. For left back I would much have preferred a rampaging Doig or Kingsley, with the added advantage latter can play the Tierney role (Ok not as well as Tierney) in a back 5, plus great dead ball specialist. In midfield I would like to see Cairney who has expressed interest in playing for Scotland again, but never gets a look in. And up front another striker such as Conway would have been good. I am not suggesting we revert to the days of Berti Vogts when caps were handed out liberally like sweeties, but for me Clarke is too conservative, both in personnel and formation.