SWMM82

Take away from both matches.... First and foremost and this one will really divide opinion.... McTominay is not good enough either as a central defender OR defensive midfielder...... the Man Utd fans will testify to this as well. Sadly his game hasn’t really developed and he has regressed with regards to his position in the Man Utd team. McKenna didn’t do much wrong the past two games, rugby tackle aside, but he is not international level. If we could only get Souttar fit again..... There’s no doubt McGregor is in poor form but he’s a good player and will be an asset for us. I genuinely believe that Jack is our best defensive midfielder at the present time. Not a creative player, but breaks up play better than anyone and he’s comfortable on the ball. A lot of debate about formation, but the three at the back experiment isn’t working. Nullifies Robertson’s best asset coming from deep and overlapping. Would play Tierney at RB or LCB. Armstrong was very poor last night, but he is technically one of the best players in the squad and will improve with games. Christie again is a player I would always have in the starting line up for his energy, and he’s got good ability... tries too hard at times though! Forrest is still the best option for me on the right, but not as a wing back. Dykes hold up play was generally good and his goal last night showed great strikers instinct but tired quickly in both games. Hopefully fitness isn’t an issue for him because he is a real asset going forward.

I reckon we might revert to a 4-2-3-1 Marshall Tierney Cooper McKenna Robertson Jack McGregor/Fleck Forrest/Armstrong McGinn Christie Dykes Cant see Clarke making too many changes to personnel. Would maybe like to see Fleck in there in place of McGregor, who looks gubbed! Could potentially move Tierney to LCB alongside McKenna with Palmer or Jack at RB. That way we’ve at least got one predominantly right footed defender. Am not sure about Tierney in the centre of a flat back 4 though.

Tierney, Jack and Dykes were positives I thought along with McKenna who looked more solid than I’ve seen him in a long time. McTominay played some great passes out of defence, but positionally found wanting on a few occasions. Christie’s energy is a real asset as well, just a bit too frantic at times causing him to make frustrating errors..... much like McGinn.

I agree McTominay could develop his game to become a defensive midfielder, but I would much rather he improved in that position at club level before being selected for that role at international level. I watched him against Russia at Hampden. Golovin was having a field day picking the ball up in wee pockets which he should’ve been covering. His poor positional play and lack of awareness was shocking. Good range of passing, strong, great energy, has some strike on him too..... but poor defensively at that level.

Agreed. I would add that all top strikers have that innate instinct to be in the right place at the right time in the penalty box. And a striker doesn’t have to be particularly quick if they’ve got the ability to time their runs. Turnbull may or may not have the attributes to play as a striker, but the fact he plays as a central midfielder would suggest his qualities are better utilised in midfield.

McGregor and Jack are not awful footballers. I’m disappointed that McGregor hasn’t tested himself elsewhere, but he is more than capable of playing in the EPL. I get that Jack isn’t for everyone because of his lack of creativity, but he has shown in Europe and against Celtic he’s effective at breaking up play and keeping it simple. Takes the sting out the game which is vital against stronger teams.

McTominay is a good player but he’s never a defensive midfielder. His lack of defensive awareness and inability to read the game will always hold him back. He’s more box to box but unfortunately he’s never going to get a game ahead of Pogba. For me McGinn, McGregor and Armstrong are all better than “decent”, and Ryan Jack, while not the most technically gifted, does a good job screening the defence and reads the game well. Gilmour is the one though... hope the injury doesn’t hold him back. He can play anywhere in midfield and has the ability to be one of the very best.

The major issue with Hornby is that he’s not a natural striker. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him used more as an attacking midfielder for Reims.

As a Buddies fan, I can remember Campbell Money made many squads but never actually got capped. To be fair he always had the likes of Goram and Leighton ahead of him

Did anyone catch any of the Rangers friendly v Coventry yesterday? Jack Burroughs played at RB or RWB and represents us at u19 level. Very highly thought of and just turned 19 in March. Maybe one to look out for this season.

Gilmour starts against Leicester

From what I’ve heard, technically McCrorie has got all the attributes to be a top goalkeeper but needs to improve mentally. It makes sense that Rangers are offering him a new contract then putting him out on loan to get games and experience. He’s maybe not ready to handle the pressure of being their no.1 at the moment.

Tierney starting for Arsenal. Obviously Arteta isn’t overly concerned about him having to come off against Southampton. Fleck and McBurnie also starting. I reckon Gilmour might start against Leicester later.

I would highly doubt that playing for the u21s, where he is clearly a class above, would benefit him more than training with the full squad. He is already training with and starting games alongside top internationals. Think of the boost it would give the younger players coming through as well... knowing if they put the hard graft in and take their chances they will come into consideration regardless of age.

I understand your caution dohadeer, but Gilmour is not just another exciting prospect of which, as you say, the top nations have many..... we are talking about a generational talent here who, if he continues his rate of development, will become one of the top midfielders around. We are talking levels above the likes of Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher who have been our best midfielders in recent times. Just the inclusion of Gilmour will improve the team on the whole. Fleck, McTominay, McGinn, McGregor, Armstrong, Christie are all very good players in their own right with different attributes, so for me there is reason to be optimistic.

Would love to see this.... but he may want to put certain fringe players in the shop window by playing them. I highly doubt they will make any money on someone like Barker mind. All you can do for a young player is give them an opportunity.... and hope they take it.... Ferguson a prime example, he never looked back.

This is a bold statement I know, but Leon King has the ability and potential to reach the same heights in the game as Gilmour.... a top top prospect at centre back. A lot of promise in his partnership with Liam Morrison. The striking situation is a problem though.... some good footballers coming through in that position.. Mebude, Hornby etc. but no real “natural” strikers.

On current form I would start Armstrong. He’s been a key part of Southampton’s revival in recent weeks and is chipping in with goals now. His ability has never been in doubt.

A mention has to go to McCrorie for his penalty save and man of the match performance for Livi today.... the boy has got a chance, especially with our limited goalkeeping options.

Jack’s reading of the game in that defensive midfield role sets him above the rest of the in my opinion. Not to mention the improvements in his overall game under Gerrard. I’ve always said he could fill in at right back no bother, but now I would probably have him as a starter in CDM the play offs.

Agreed. The fact that Celtic came from behind in both games against Lazio to win shows incredible self belief as well. Rangers also won without playing particularly well, Jack was a standout. Just wish that mentality would stretch to the national team.

Hornby is not a natural poacher, but he is a better overall footballer than the other forwards mentioned and he carries a goal threat. A lot of his good work is done outside the box, holding the ball up, bringing teammates into play, and he’s good with the ball at his feet as well as in the air. Mebude for the u19s isn’t a natural striker either. That position is a problem area, and not just for Scotland. Most clubs only play one up front now which instantly reduces the pool of strikers we have.

McTominay is a good player no doubt but he is FAR from the finished article. The Russia game flagged up major warning signs to me and to be honest I would’ve taken him off in that game. The number of times Golovin found space in front of our defence because of McTominays poor positioning and lack of awareness that night was a real concern. Yes he can pass a ball, yes he’s physically and mentally strong, yes he’s a good athlete who can go box to box and yes he can strike a ball. But his defensive positioning and awareness needs to improve to be a top midfielder.

Lewis Fiorini is playing for Man City u21s in the EFL Trophy tonight. Part of the Scotland u19s squad and only 17.

Same for me. Morrison and King have the attributes to make it to the very top. There won’t be a better centre half pairing at that age level. Scotland are missing players that would normally start as well, another thing to take into consideration. Through to the elite round with a game to spare.