Diamond Scot

Less players break through at the top clubs but the ones that do have a much higher chance of being European class. Thats the standard of player we need. Over the past 15 years we have probably had 1 and thats Darren Fletcher. There is zero point in having 20 players capable of playing in Scotland. Our best players play for the Old Firm then move to lower level EPL sides. We need to flood europes top clubs with youth players and hope a cpl have what it takes to break through.

All leagues can have poor and boring games. This is a seperare issue from the quality of the players. The fact remains that our best talent struggle to make the step up to other leagues whether that be in England with the Championship or the EPL or an example like Portugal. Gauld was one of our most exciting technical players and by his own admission he is years behind the players in Portugal technically. The Spl has some exciting games but so does the English conference and nobody would suggest we should be picking our international players from there. If any player in Scotland was viewed as being a very good player then he wouldnt be playing in Scotland due to the amount of money foreign teams have.

Why is that a bit strange? Im not saying that there should be a blanket rule but more often than its a sound policy. In general better players play in better leagues. So why not picked the best players? Both the EPL and Championship have a far superior standard of players so the bulk of our team should come from there. Too often a player looks great in Scotland but turns out to not make the mark. Stevie May one of the more recent examples. In the same way a player does nothing down south. Cant get a game then comes up here. Plays for Celtic and looks amazing and all of a sudden they are a player. Commons and Griffiths being classic examples.

Put him in the Sunderland side and he wouldnt make the bench. Just as he didnt make the bench for Wolves, even when they dropped down to the Championship and if i remember league 1. How much would he cost atm. Say 6 million at a push. Yet not 1 EPL or Championship club is interested despite that being pocket change for them. We need to get real to move forward.

Its an impressive record playing for the dominant team in a poor league. Nomatter how many goals he scores he should not be in ahead of players scoring goals in better leagues. Leagues that he was a failure in might I add.

Working in law myself one of the main things that struck me was the process and how different it is in this country. For the prosecution to release vital trial evidence via a press conference is wild. How they think that cant prejudice the case is beyond me. Also the way lawyers cross examine in court is very weak. Obviously we didnt see the entire trial but my take on it is that they asked a question such as was there any dna evidence in the bedroom or garage. Got there answer and moved on. Over here that would be about an hours worth of questioning alone.

Paterson has abit of potential but still makes a hell of alot of mistakes. Good going forward but suspect defending. Alot of people really dont rate James Forrest but he had the beating of Paterson everytime a few weeks ago. Id probably play him in a friendly to give him a taste but until he moves to a league of a higher standard then I wouldnt be going near him in competitive games.

Hardie doesnt count as he played about 11 minutes when the game was already won. He is exactly the kind of player that Rangers could have started instead of Miller today. One young player shouldnt weaken the team that much and if he does why is he at the club in the 1st place. Im not saying Rangers dont have a decent average age. Im saying games like today should be used to give a cpl of untried players some competitive game time as no doubt there will a time when they are needed but they wont have the experience.

How many players starting today came through their youth policy. My post is more about taking the opportunity to bed in young players who cant be flung in during league games. Every player starting today would be considered a first team player. Look at what all the more forward thinking managers and clubs do in the lesser cups. They put in a couple of the best up and coming players. The Old Firm never do this and then when they get an injury or suspension crisis they need to chuck in a totally untried youngster.

Watching the Rangers v St Mirren game. Surely this is the kind of game that Rangers could throw in a cpl of younger untried players to get some experience. I apreciate that they want to win every game but this is a nothing cup at home. You could easily play a younger attacker and maybe a midfielder or defender without significantly weakening the team. What benefit do the club get from playing Kenny Miller today? I hoped and thought Warburton might be a change but seems he has fallen into the old firm trap of winning every game without thinking of anything even remotely long term.

Thing that concerned me about Scottish celtic players tonight was there total inability to pass the ball 10 yards when under any kind of pressure. Armstrong in particular was overhitting them or mis directing them whenener an Ajax player closed him down.

Griffith once again shown up for what he is. Consistently makes poor decisions which at a higher level is crucial. Dribbling when he should pass, shooting when he should pass, passing to clearly the wrong player and for those that think he has pace, he doesnt have the pace required to trouble top defenders. Several times tonight he had a head start and defenders caught up with him. Not above 4th choice striker for Scotland imo

I think last night showed us that we have a lot of decent players, albeit with nobody who is really a level above. Forrest is a different type of player to Ritchie. Ritchie can play on his opposite side because he likes to cut in and either slip balls through or have a shot. Forrest is a get to the byline player and with a weak left foot that means he is only effective when played on the right. Forsyth was decent but a few slack passes. Wouldn't have him above Whitiker, Robertson or Bardsley in the pecking order but is a good back up / squad player. Personally id like to see Berra partner Martin but I can see WGS going with either Greer or Mulgrew. Funny feeling it will be Mulgrew with Morrison beside Brown in midfield. 3 of top 4 will be Anya, Naismith and Fletcher with the right winger coming from either Maloney, Forrest or Ritchie. Id start with Ritchie and bring on Forrest later.

Maybe should have added at international level. May played well when he came on as a sub and also for the 21s. For what its worth im a big fan of Rhodes and dont think he is a Kris Boyd type at all. His all round game is much better and feel that he has been unfairly labelled.

Agree about Russell. May needs to do abit more at club level to get a start but done enough recently to stay in the squad. Id like to see Martin given another half. He plays well for Derby and has came on at difficult times in his games so far. Another chance before consigning him to the not good enough bin. GMS is good enough on his day but the problem with international football is that its not about his day, its about the day of the game. Which is why a good international player tends to be somebody who can perform on the big occasion when required to do so. Im not saying GMS cant go on to become an important player for Scotland but I don't think he has done enough to merit a place in front of others.