borojock

something i think we missed for so long was someone in the center of the park that shows for the ball, can turn and play a forward incisive pass to try and get us in on goal - for a long time we had players in the center with no movement to create space to receive the ball and were too happy to play a sideways or backwards pass I think that's why Gilmour is so important for us, however was great to see McTom having a great game hopefully a start of a run of games where he picks up form and puts him in a real strong place when the Ukraine game comes round

McGregor has been more of a consistent performer and made a more significant contribution over the course of a game for us - IMVHO

Were two injuries' (both of which both are injured at the moment) away from being significantly weakened in our striking department I think our first team squad in whole is at a good level but our problem is when we have 1 or 2 injured in the same position most positions in the squad reduce massively - outwith the 30 or so top players quality levels drop dramatically

I woke up this morning and thought we've played 6, won 6, conceded 2 in those 6 which came in one game both from free kicks one direct and one indirect with a difference of +8 in those 6 games You know what were not that bad come a long way and with home advantage, momentum and positivity on our side we should be in a great place for the playoffs Hopefully we have some good luck over the next 4 months with players staying fit and in form & hopefully the Ukraine's pick some injuries and some key players lose form then we'll be looking grand for the semi

I really enjoy the Nations League so much better than pointless friendly matches and its a great way to get yourself in the Euros Hope (and sure we will) go all out in it the best draw to try and win for me would be Iceland, Ireland and Armenia

i cant wait for this game already but that vid adds a bit more to it From my brief time looking at them on wiki Management team absolutely nothing to worry about there none of them have a track record of management of success at any level Momentum again nothing to worry on that either - granted don't lose a lot but also don't win a lot draw specialists, don't score many or batter teams Players 4 players stand out the guys at West Ham, Man City, Atlanta and Benfica. None of them world class all decent players but wouldnt hype them up further than that. Fella at West Ham you assume Clarke would be in Moyes and his teams ear getting the full low down on him With home advantage, winning momentum, experience of successfully going through the playoffs last year and a developing team really see nothing to concern with the semi final against the Ukraines = very confident in our team for that game

Tierney on the bench second game in a row which isnt good news, i thought the young Portuguese guy who replaced him looked hopeless against LIV so was expecting to see Tierney back in Fraser starting right wing back for Newcastle

Absolutely agree with this see far too many posters on here claiming players not committed to Scotland because they pulled out for apparent dodgy reasons Robbo against Kazaks - should we have banished him forever for the dentist visit Tierney - should we have banned him forever when pulled out a few times early arsenal games Hickey - a very promising youngster who's 2 footed versatile and playing first team football in a hell of a league pulled out last 2 u21's lets banish him as well So many many many more and in my very humble opinion its boring claiming their taking the mick Without being privy to having the full reasons of the injury and background info we make uneducated guesses You look at McTominay and Hanley and what it means to them, even Fraser watch his reaction to when he scored twice in this campaign and his thrilled I think this lads are a lot more committed to the cause, their team mates and the fans then many give them credit

I'd have Jack in my squad all the time if fit he does something that no one else really does hes a DM can be a great option to shore the midfield up I wouldnt have him in my starting 11 but for certain in my squad 4 center midfielders i would have no in specific order would be Gilmour McGregor McTominay and Jack Thought he was outstanding against against Serbia

4 months of regular first team football could be huge for him What i like about him is from interviews ive read it appears hes desperate to be involved in the squad and really enjoys it when in and about it which is great to see. A great age, 22 i think, playing under good manager and at a decent level could be a good squad player for us - 9 years younger than O'Donnell so would further bring down the average age which i think is huge I think a massive problem for us was when Berti took over he had a huge amount of turnover and a load of players that were coming to the end of their career if we can have succession plans in place so the older players are being phased out for younger players that will help us in creating some long term stability and consistency over the long term

will be interesting to see if the new manager Smith plays him i think he is a Smith type player so hopefully gets a run of games - second half as it went on he started to tire as witnessed by the cramp imagine if he was match fit and on match form going into the next round of games could be even better which is a very exciting proposition

Nations League has been a fantastic invention IMO Obviously we got to the Euros through it but its replaced the friendlies pretty much which on reflection were boring and dull at best of time has created a third interesting competition with a very different angle which i am really enjoying

i watched the highlights on bbc iplayer again and when i watched it live i thought we were good watching it again without the nervous emotions i thought some of our play was outstanding Hopefully this is the next step in our evolution of the side

video made my day -

I just wish Gordon was 10 years younger - my big fear for last few years is we dont have any real great keepers coming through Gordon 38, Marshall i think 36 and McLoughlin at 34 - then you have Clarke and Kelly who are ok at domestic level but a few levels below those 3 I know a few people say McCrorie but needs first team football at a decent level for a few years before you could cast judgement on him

Im assuming that that win will help us with fifa rankings that could move us up closer to pot 2 for the next qualifying draw for the next euros?

Brilliant keeper just wish he was 10 years younger a great goalie

For the last 20 years ive told myself football is cyclical it will come good again, is this the start of the new cycle?

Win - Check No Cards - Check Clean Sheet - Check More Than 1 Goal - Check Looks alright to me, who had us to win the next 6 games after Copenhagen

very enjoyable first 45 mins we look very measured, controlling the ball well and got good tempo with the team Clarke seems to have a knack of getting good national performances from players not playing well at club level i think O'Donnell has been decent - would have Paterson all day long but as a back up option not as terrible as i and others think he is Looking forward to the next 45 mins hopefully as controlled as the first 45 mins

Its a real fine balancing decision Steve Clarke has to make due to the mockery of a decision to carry yellows over to the playoff Do you go all out for the win to get us seeded with the best players Or do you protect them against picking up a yellow and being suspended for the playoffs Somebody elsewhere posted some stats on the ref and apparently quite card happy so not a good omen Our best 11 at home i think we can get a draw, a win im not so sure about and im unsure if a draw would get us seeded However cant wait for the game just hope we dont have any players suspended for the playoffs and we get a good result and performance to keep the momentum going into the playoffs

That's exactly what I was thinking - i dont know the accurate situation only what is reported and the offshoots of peoples emotional responses However does feel quite short sited from Hickey from the outside but having said that may be something tangiable behind it

I think we are more than capable of getting a draw which hopefully gets us seeded which would be huge Home advantage on Monday, 5 wins on the trot, we've got something massive to play for and they dont (i know they have the 100% record but not on same scale as what we have t play for) I would go 3 1 4 1 1 Gordon Hendry Cooper Tierney McGregor O'Donnell McTom Gilmour Robertson McGinn Dykes Keep it tight and look to stop them playing if 0-0 after an hour maybe look to make a few more attacking subs but i think a draw would be great one to hopefully get the seeding but two to keep the positive momentum going Already excited for tomorrow night cant wait

100% we need to be better on the set pieces were not prolific in open play and need to be much better Unfortunately Austin McPhee cant do much though if the players cant clear the 1st man - Turnbull could be important for us in that regard but cant see how he gets in the starting good player but a few slightly ahead of him

were a class striker away from being a very good team - a Bale or Robbie Keane would be the massive difference However completely right squad looking good and a great age as well the only part that really worries me is goalie with Gordon and Marshall in the sunset of their career and no top class keeper coming through thats the part thats got me concerned