Stockholm 1980

The qualifying games were all if this had happened if that hadn't happened. In terms of huge mistakes Mulgrew had a great game at Celtic Park against Ireland, then we play him in defence in Dublin and Georgia, Mulgrew should be nowhere near defence. In Dublin, we should never have played Forsyth and should have started with Anya. After equalising we should have taken the game to Ireland it was there for the winning, but we thought with the draw the job was done. Comparisons have been made here about our approach to the matches and that of Ireland. Based on what I watched Ireland on another day could easily have gone. Georgia Draw Gibraltar Win Germany Loss Scotland Loss Scotland Draw / Loss Gibraltar Win Georgia Win Germany Loss Poland Loss I'll content myself with having in the main enjoyed the manner Scotland attempted to qualify. As for Ireland making the finals, good luck to them, they might even do a Greece.

We should be looking to play Cyprus or Greece away in May to get a similar match to what Malta away will be. We have got to win this game and it won't be as easy as some think.

We should be looking to play either Greece or Cyprus away in the June fixture next year. Conditions will be similar to Malta in September and standard will be slightly better. Although still a Pot 6 country, Malta are not getting hammered any more, and been giving teams a match in recent times, so we got to have no banana skins when we kick off against them in September.

My lad and his mates are away in Vietnam, when this is played. 5.00 pm UK. 8.00pm Georgia 11.00pm Vietnam. He's asked if anyone's been and know if there's a chance they will be able to see this in a Bar. They will be in Ho Chi Minh City that night, Saigon for us older blokes.

Germany and Poland arrived today, missus a bit pissed off another £170 spent on Fitba, especially after Dublin 2 weeks ago, and Falkirk season tickets this week, but hey, life is not a dress rehearsal.

Ireland should be dead and burried in this section, but they are hanging about like a bad smell. They have "gained" 5 points between late / offside goals. To win in Georgia I think we need to get back to the level of performance we had in Germany and Poland, anything less, we will probably drop points. I think The Poland match will be a Cup Final for an automatic qualification spot.

Had to start driving back for the 11.30 ferry at 8.30, so came off the drink at 11.00 last night. Son and mates returned to hotel at 4.56 this morning, and looked like shit. Got in the hose at half 4 and he's sound.

Top marks to all at Abbey Travel, collection very quick, regular e-mail updates asking for names etc. Premium level 3 was awesome, even if the extreme right of 301 had me hanging just about out the ground, could not see any of our fans behind the goal for the Big Screen. The bars just topped it off. Met 2 Irish guys from work who were also in level 3 and finally walked out the stadium about 8.15 after another few pints.

Were in 301. I said earlier 304 but obviously couldn't read the tickets right ib my early morning haze.

Picked up tickets yesterday. Just had a look and see we are in 304 towards the Scotland End. I thought we were going to be at the opposite end above the Ireland singing section. Looking forward to this

Arrive Friday lunch time, go to "work" and pick up tickets, kid on I'm doing some work in Dublin Depot, for 5 minutes, empty petty cash tin to assist expenses. Check in digs, Afternoon on the beer. Friday night Harrolds Cross Greyhounds, back into city for few night caps. Match day, Full Irish breakfast, casual walk towards stadium taking in several watering holes. Into Ground watch us take another step on the way to France. After match, meet up with Irish guys from work who will have hopefully topped up petty cash again, meal drinks, crash out, Sunday hame.

Sent our squad details to Abbey Travel today. They advised they will be in touch about 10 days before the match to advise ticket collection details, don't seem like they are being sent out. Also said this area is 99% Scottish.

I think Scots will buy up most of the ticketmaster.ie ones once they get round to single match sale

We bought from Abbey Travel, any idea when they typically send out their allocation ?

Me, all I know is they are right behind the South Goals opposite the SSC end on level 3 in front of ticketmaster ones. They are trying to keep Scots together in this section, but as yet no specific seat numbers.

How do Abbey Travel know who are Scots and who are Irish ? I got the guy who runs our company in Dublin to buy 6 last week, 4 for us and 2 for them. There will be many Irish addresses being used for Scots to obtain tickets.

4 Booked today with Abbey Travel. Was in Dublin with work last week, great city, looking forward to this already.

Harp Lager used to be popular in Ireland, never seen it in years. I reckon there will be 8000 Scots in the stadium and about 12000 will make the trip. Ferry Cairnryan 7.30, Greyhounds Harrolds Cross Friday night, then see where we go from there.

I visit Algarve a few times every year, and wouldn't really want to stay in Faro Not the best town I've visited there. Quarteria, Vilamoura Albufiera, would be better places to stop. I reckon the team will be based in The Conrad, at Quinta do Lago and train at Val do Lobo, but these places are not what most TA guys are looking for. Vilamoura will be busy as the Portugeese Masters golf is on later the same week as the match.