[Loyalty points]

Is it just me, or do you no longer see your history of games / matches for Tickets bought?? 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

23 hours ago, syecosse said:

Born in England but has always represented us at different age groups u17 and u19. 

Well he’s obviously eligible for Engerland but read somewhere Darren Fletcher has had an influence on his career but I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing with what’s going on with his 2 Sons ?? 
I know Man Utd had CB issues yesterday but to name him on the bench, the young lad would have been made up.
Apparently he has all the attributes to make it in the game, imo he needs to be brought into the Euro Squad (not as a player) but for the experience and let him get a taster…… 

Clarke did similar prior to Norway match last summer with Conway, Bowat and a.n.other ( can’t remember without checking ) For sure Wales, N.Ireland and Ireland would have introduced this lad into their set-up by now, but it’s not the Scotland way until you’ve progressed through the Under stages…… 

[Scottish player transfers]

On 4/19/2024 at 11:03 AM, Hertsscot said:

Bowie's always looked useful every time I've seen him play for the u21s. I'm sure they'll be clubs that are interested in him 

I think Bowie has a bright future if he knuckles down, has always looked decent for the U21’s 

[Injury Watch]

Fingers crossed for Armstrong, I certainly think he has been very good for Southampton this season and will most certainly be an impact Sub at the Euro’s 

[The SFA should support the PFA at the FIFA Congress on 17th of May]

6 hours ago, ceudmilefailte said:

Sport should have nothing to do with politics. 

100% agree 

IMO this thread should be removed, can Mods look into please 

It certainly doesn’t belong under ‘ TA Specific ‘ 

Anything Goes - Politics !! ( Can this be moved or removed pls ) 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

3 minutes ago, theabsentee said:

I'm sorry both players races are well & truly ruin. McGinn is a steady player but even without Hickey & Patterson we have 3 minimum younger choices before he should come even close to consideration .

Have to agree, I knew he was one of the older brothers butt FFS he’s 34 in October! 
Shouldn’t even be a consideration IMO 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

1 hour ago, Dave78 said:

Paul McGinn had crossed my mind too. He's filled in at RB for Clarke before. Could do so again?

Reference Paul McGinn 

To quote a previous Manager - a Player of 'limited ability' 

I’m sorry but not nearly close to being International Class 

[Lets discuss out 23/26 man squad]

17 hours ago, Malcolm said:

Pretty much picks itself I think…

 

goalies - Gunn, Gordon, clarke

defence - hickey, Robertson, Porteous, Hanley, tierney, Patterson, hendry, McKenna, taylor

mid -  gilmour, mcgregor, mcginnn, Mctominay, Ferguson, McLean, Armstrong, Christie, Fraser

fwd - dykes, Adams, shankland

 

 

You read what Romanticscot had to say Malcolm ( Your selection ) 

It would be a strange world if we all picked the same 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

I’m hoping UEFA announce the 26 man squad decision, will allow a bit of wiggle room for players who We or Clarke will select 

[Injury Watch]

3 hours ago, Scotty2Hotty said:

Out the list of players that are injured, highest priority are Hickey & McGregor of course and then IMO McKenna since we are lacking badly in the CB department and Hanley is getting past it now it looks like.

Doak has to be included if we are taking a 26 man squad even if he doesnt get game time. 

 

 

Something in me says there could be a compromise on squad numbers when UEFA sit down and have this chat, I’m just dreaming maybe delusional but I’m thinking a 25 man squad will be the number…… 

The last squad Clarke selected, I was slightly disappointed in the balance of it !! 

More Keepers than Forwards ?? We all know only 3 keepers will travel, as long as Gunn stays fit then in all honesty the 2nd keeper is somewhat important but the 3rd keeper is just there for the camaraderie and shooting practice. 

If a 23 man squad that leaves 20 outfield players, which on balance should equate to 8 defenders 8 midfielders 4 forwards 

If a 25/26 man squad, then maybe Scotland could bring an actual winger ( Fraser or even Doak if fit ) or just possibly Clark begs Barnes to join up! 

If Hanley + Hickey don’t recover / make it and Patterson continues to bench warm at Goodison then we have a serious issue in defence, I’m not sure what the answer would be?? 
 

But I’d like to see the squad size increased, is there anyone from the U21’s that could step up?? 

 

 

[Injury Watch]

5 hours ago, theabsentee said:

Good post but I think your not up to date on some of the info, I'll give you my opinion for what it's worth. 

  McGregor - think is training & could even feature in the Old Firm game this weekend.

  Hickey - may not play for Brentford again this season but expects to be fit in May , so let's hope training & match sharpness can be gained in our June friendlies as we desperately need him. 

  Brown - don't know but prefer he wasn't selected anyway. 

  McKenna - Pleased he is back playing as even though he may not be a world beater we really do need him. 

  Hanley - Wasn't aware Wagner had said this , if it's true I would be very concerned as he is a naturally burly guy who needs to be playing to keep his levels up, if he isn't starting regular for Norwich before the end of the season I wouldn't want him starting for Scotland. I'm actually very concerned Clarke's loyalty may mean 2 of our central defence choices will be a either not match sharp or past their best in Hanley & Cooper .

 Nisbet - sadly injured but hasn't kicked on at Millwall so the jury's out on his long term international career.

 Stewart - Believe is doing light training but after breaking down so quickly from a previous long term injury I can't see Southampton risking him this season unless Adams etc are seriously misfiring. 

 Doak - Idk but hope your right that he could be back training & even playing by May. Be a very pleasant surprise if he could make the first team squad again this season & make an impact . I'm sure most of us should love that to happen just to see what Clarke would do especially if the squad is increased to 26.

Ramsay - sadly injury has ruined his season, he may also be suffering from Patterson style confidence issues as he didn't even get off the bench on Monday even though his league one side Bolton brought 5 subs on in a 5-2 victory. Sadly we can't really call him even a potential Scotland player at this stage . Next season will be very crucial for his future, let's hope the lad stays fit 

Absentee - cheers for update, wasn’t aware about McGregor. Fingers crossed he isn’t rushed back because it’s an old firm game and has a setback…… 

We want every Scotland player available but McGregor Hickey Gilmour would be a huge loss to Scotland in the Euros 

Fingers crossed for Hickey, sounds like Brentford are nursing him back slowly and he has an outside chance 

[Injury Watch]

Reading this thread of late doesn’t sound like an Injury update ? 

So to recap 

Callum McGregor - if the rumours are true, they say his season might be over with an Achilles Injury? There was mention of a return after the International break but still No sign of McGregor ( Scotland IMO need him back for the Euros ) 

Aaron Hickey - been out most of the season with a Hamstring Injury, if rumours are to believed then Brentford rushed him back to soon! Thomas Frank saying he is further down the line, read into that what you may but Brentford fans thinking he’ll feature before the end of the season ( again he will be vital for Scotland considering our lack of quality RB’s ) 

Billy Gilmour - during N.Ireland game went off with a knee injury and last pictured wearing a knee brace, according to Brighton out for a month. So fingers crossed should return in May sometime, if only out for a month? 

Grant Hanley - Achilles Injury from last year but has played since recovery from injury but Norwich now saying he hasn’t regained full fitness / sharpness!
David Wagner - quoted as saying  ( we all together agreed - him, myself and the fitness and medical department - to pull him out of team training because he is not as explosive and as sharp as he was when he was on his best ) 

Jacob Brown - knee cartilage injury and had the operation but unlikely to return in the foreseeable, so unlikely to have made the Euro’s 

Scott McKenna - pulled out of the last Squad, with no real explanation other than an injury. Looking at FC Copenhagens games, he played 90 minutes against Brønby on Monday night. Promising, with Hanley struggling I’d imagine McKenna makes it should he stay fit. 

Kevin Nisbet - suffered a serious hamstring injury and according to Milwall unlikely to feature again this season, all but ending his chance of going to the Euros 

Ross Stewart - been out most of the season and recovering from a hamstring injury and from what Russell Martin had to say unlikely to feature again this season, rehab gone well and now jogging. If the Saints are in the play-offs then there is a glimmer of hope apparently but as he hasn’t featured much under Clarke and would surely have been a wildcard for the Euros 

Ben Doak - recovering from a knee injury he sustained back in December, if rumours are to be believed he’s targeting a return date this month with an eye on getting some game time in Liverpools run in……. He truly would be a wildcard if Clarke selects him but again unlikely to make it, the injury stalled any realistic chance he had. 

Calvin Ramsay - had such promise when he first went to Liverpool but injury’s have curtailed his development and currently farmed out to Bolton to gain match time but not really featuring for them for some reason? Given our RB issues, Clarke must be wishing of an alternative to Patterson should Hickey not return? 

 

 

 

 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

25 minutes ago, Scotty2Hotty said:

It is all very odd isn't it, Gauld one of the best players in the MLS at the moment and did well in the Portugese league before then.

He would be at the very least a quality player to bring off the bench and worth having around. I suspect he doesn't want to call him up if he doesnt see him in the first 11 and having to travel a very long distance just to sit on the bench.

However, there are a lot of other nations calling up MLS players who seem to be good enough standard for them so I can't get my head around this.

It does seem very strange imo 

I’m assuming then that Clarke has made that journey to Saudi Arabia to keep an eye on Jack Hendry playing for Al-Ittifaq to continue + keep selecting him in what is a suspect defence of late? 
17 goals conceded in 7 games without checking but I’m sure that’s the number or maybe he is just phoning Steven Gerrard to get that update on how Hendry is playing and his form of late?? 
I think as Fans we should be privy to Clarkes rationale on his selections and travel 

17 goals in 7 games, I would call that cause for concern imo 

But, back to the point in question, Ryan Gould - I genuinely think Clarke is just bone f**king idol, lazy and content with his clique of players that he continually selects 

Just my opinion but of late his squads have not really suggested much thought process or intel towards players! 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

41 minutes ago, todd said:

Ryan Gauld scores today.  Just sayin' like 😁

I wonder if Steve Clarke just watches highlights of the MLS or has he actually got someone within the USA giving him advice/feedback on Ryan Gauld? 
Or has he actually bothered his arse to make the journey, obviously on SFA expenses 

Had to check again who Gauld plays for ( Vancouver  Whitecaps ) as he does seem to be the forgotten man 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 

Arguably everyone is accountable and has to answer to someone above them and Clarke will be no different?!?
But it’s the SFA and probably don’t give a F**k as long as Scotland qualify for tournaments and quite possibly too scared to challenge Clarke! 

I’d love to know Clarkes rationale and real reason for the glaring omission and never calling him up over the last few years, an attacking midfielder with eye for goal but doesn’t merit a call up to see him up close and in person. 
 

 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

1 hour ago, Yr Alban said:

Why should I? Not all of these players have refused (that we know of) and Scotland need as many good players as we can get. You might not want them, and that’s fine, but if they will improve the squad then I’ll have them, thanks very much. Nobody will care how authentically Scottish they are if they score the winner v one of our opponents in the Euros.

Angus Gunn refused a number of call ups before he accepted. Do you want to give him back now, and have Clark and Kelly as our options for the next qualifying campaign?

My argument is - every other bloody Country is at it, some more than others! 
And everyone on this forum is entitled to their opinion, so Yr Alban I’m with you on this one.

If it’s good enough for Engerland and Declan Rice, then I’m afraid I’d happily welcome Barnes Livramento Anderson Hackney Gray Ashby and The Fletcher Boys into the Scotland Squad etc etc 

Declan has fairly amassed the Caps for Engerland now and don’t hear as much of a peep from them, he was born in London but ultimately he chopped and chooses who he wanted to play for!! 

Declan Rice - International career‡
2015–2016	Republic of Ireland U17	6	(2)
2016–2017	Republic of Ireland U19	6	(0)
2017–2018	Republic of Ireland U21	5	(0)
2018	Republic of Ireland	3	(0)
2019–	England	50	(3)

[Injury Watch]

2 hours ago, theabsentee said:

I really think the bad press he had been getting was ott & totally unproven. Journalists have an excuse as it's part of the job, we don't .

    Unless you hear a quote from the player or his coach in question saying there's a issue with commitment or attitude you should just ignore such negative stories written  

   Fraser apparently trained with Newcastle while there was a international break for me so what unless he was actually fit enough to play which I believe he wasn't.

 He is also slated for the way his time at Bournemouth ended but the reality is he has had more than fair share of injuries iso you can understand why he perhaps under the influence of his agent didn't want to chance ruining a potential big move.

   If he is fit enough & playing well he should be 100% in our squad even if I fear he may not have the pace he once had.

100% agree 

If Ryan Fraser is fit & on form ( scoring goals + creating assists which he is ) 

Then imo he has to be considered, is Steve Clarke biting his nose off to spite his face if he doesn’t select him?? 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

28 minutes ago, thesaint said:

100%.Time for chasing these chancers to stop.It's not as if they are Ronaldo or Maradona for f..ks sake.Harvey f..king Barnes.Really?

The reality of it all, he is closer to being Ronaldo than Dykes Adams Shankland Brown McBurnie etc etc 

Is he a chancer? The lad has just said ( apparently ) he wants to chase his dream of playing for Engerland - so make your mind up !! 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

9 hours ago, bdgsct said:

Doesn't sound like Barnes will be switching allegiances any time soon. 

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/harvey-barnes-shares-anthony-gordons-28757334?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar

Well he won’t be playing International Football then ! 

Southgate will not select Barnes for this months games or the Euro’s for that matter and by the time the next tournament comes around ( World Cup 2026 ) Harvey Barnes will be closer to 29 

[U21s]

7 hours ago, Squirrelhumper said:

No Lennon Miller or David Watson in the U21s. 

Probably for the best given who the manager is and how hopeless he is but no idea how these two lads can't get in the 21s when you see the squad. 

Will give you Lennon Miller is a glaring omission 

‘ When you see the Squad ‘  that’s being disrespectful to the lads that have been called up IMO 

Goalkeepers - Vincent Angelini (Brentford), Jack Newman (Dundee United), Cieran Slicker (Ipswich Town).

Defenders - Matthew Anderson (Admira Wacker, on loan from Celtic), Ibane Bowat (Hartberg, on loan from Fulham), Adam Devine (Motherwell, on loan from Rangers), Josh Doig (Sassuolo), Max Johnston (Sturm Graz), Ben McPherson (Queen's Park, on from Celtic), Liam Morrison (Wigan, on loan from Bayern Munich), Lewis Neilson (Partick Thistle, on loan from Hearts).

Midfielders - Connor Barron (Aberdeen), Lyall Cameron (Dundee), Leon King (Rangers), Aidan Denholm (Hearts), Lewis Fiorini (Charlton, on loan from Manchester City), Kai Fotheringham (Dundee United), Josh Mulligan (Dundee).

Forwards - Kieron Bowie (Northampton, on loan from Fulham), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), Dire Mebude (Bristol City, on loan from Westerlo), Michael Mellon (Dundee, on loan from Burnley) 

The lads highlighted are fantastic players and yes Gemmill makes strange selections! 
Granted - Doak out injured 

But you can also ask the question where is - Emilio Lawrence, Rory Wilson, Kerr Smith, Louis Jackson ? 
These lads need to be accelerated through the age groups! We are terrible for this IMO

 

[Injury Watch]

It’s a shame about Jacob Brown, wishing him a speedy recovery but his selection for the Euro’s probably in doubt now. 

My concern is Tierney + Hickey - vital both of them fit and have some game time prior to June!
If Hickey weren’t to make it and Patterson now appears to be 3rd choice RB at Everton, we could be lacking in that position - this could be left field but has Clarke been thinking about Archie Gray? I know he’s played for Engerland but would be a massive coup for us
 

 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

2 minutes ago, Rich NATA said:

GOAL - Fraser.

Yes 

But also a Stuart Armstrong assist 👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[International Form V Club Form]

1 hour ago, BryanBlessed said:

How long do we give players who have poor club form but also poor international form. One campaign?

Good question 

I think if you have a bunch of games in Sept / Oct / Nov like we did at the end of last year and players have performed poorly or not featured for their respective Clubs but have done well for Scotland then for me it’s acceptable to call them up for the next International get together the following month. 

However, Scotland's last game was November last year and come March there will be a lot of water under the bridge since then……. 
If you don’t gauge club form, then barring injury Scotland would have the same players every time ?!? 
 

So with that IMO you can’t ignore club form 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

Lewis Ferguson captaining Bologna to a 2-0 win earlier and with an assist 

Haven’t seen any highlights but the lad is doing well 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[Tactics and Formations]

17 minutes ago, bdgsct said:

Ferguson too....

100% you have to mention Lewis Ferguson 

Who would he displace, McGregor ?? 

Playing at a higher level than McGregor, younger by 6 or 7 years and must be due a start for Scotland…… 

Billy Gilmour of late for Brighton has been sensational and must be an automatic start (on current form) 

Could Ferguson + Gilmour play together 
 

[International Form V Club Form]

My take on International form is different from Club form……

The 2 kinda go hand in hand

Scotlands last match was Norway back in November, our next match is 4 months later in March! 
If a Scotland player plays poorly back in November, does that merit selection and/or playing time 4 months later? 

Take Dykes for example, has been a stalwart for Scotland over the last 3 years! 
Think he’s on 30+ Caps now, Steve Clarke has to select him as on the most part he’s done well for us. However Dykes club form has not been great and didn’t start yesterday for a honking QPR, if that becomes a regular feature does Clarke still select him - the answer is Yes because we don’t have the depth of players to choose from. 
The question is, when does Clarkes goodwill run out? 

It’s a balancing act, Clarkes job is to get results and evolve the Team as naturally players age and form drops off - as the post from bdgsct mentioned above, you need to consider what other players are coming to Scotland with poor club form or playing time! 

[Scottish players in action 21/22]

18 minutes ago, ceudmilefailte said:

Hanley starting

That’s good to hear 

Just checked and Kenny Maclean scores, hopefully Lyndon Dykes can get some minutes