N4Footsoldier

What's the nature of McGregor's injury exactly? Can't be good if he's out of the lineup as he's normally a 60+ game a season player counting club and international

It's all happening at Tynecastle this week...

VAR or no VAR the handball rules really need to be tidied up again. They tried to clarify it a few seasons ago now by capturing an exhaustive list of interpretations and how each scenario (e.g player on the ground with his arm in x position, bell deflects off players body on to arm etc) should be given, but of course there's no way in writing to capture all eventualities as to how and when a ball may strike a player's arm. I feel like maybe 5 or so years ago the rules were much clearer - if your arm is in an unnatural position or hand to ball occurs, then generally the handball is given. The problem is that footballers are always crying victim over the rules so all of this feedback on rules which to me seemed much simpler than what we have now have led to this. Seeing various interviews from players and managers, who are usually consulted on all the latest interpretations yearly, have no idea what is and isn't a handball these days.

Ok thanks. I didn't read the sales schedule which mentions post. From the email spiel about needing to scan your ticket to get the point I assumed they might be trying to get it on the app which had the functionality to police that. Absolutely no danger they are going to be enforcing that. As suggested above, the stuff about anti harvesting measures and punishments clearly just to pay lip service to people complaining.

Does the email suggest it will go to pick up or not? I can't work it out

The Safeway tickets were always open to such abuse, it really was quite shocking. Could turn up at Safeway at opening time on the day they went on sale, even be very first in the queue and they were all gone already. I have a foggy memory of it but seem to remember that happening at least 2 or 3 times. To be frank, I assume no one is seriously advocating for these old methods of PATG and/or Safeway (or other sales via sponsors) to be brought back. I had high hopes for this thread based on the title but it has been a total load of shite.

Any background in the Robertson exclusion from the squad tonight? Aware Klopp likes a rotation in cup games but he did play almost 90mins on Sunday.

"Grown up conversation" - I think I'm being too realistic so I must automatically be a tory. Another staple argument from those who bring people's finances into an argument over ability to buy tickets. I'm not the one overstating a relatively simple issue by masquerading it as some type of social commentary.

To add to that - I don't think giving some "elite" folk less points per game after a certain points total is any kind of feasible term and condition that they could apply for a loyalty based system - it would make it the opposite of a loyalty system! We're talking about a points system for folk to buy football tickets, not about raising taxes for the generationally wealthy to create a more just society ffs

These arguments always come up when there is any sort of expensive or complicated clamour for tickets. The Euros tickets was no exception. Without bringing the financial argument into it just yet, I've always said the last couple of campaigns the SFA have been "smarter" with their provision of an opportunity to sell tickets to all games which guarantees bums on seats one way or another. Good optically for the team as well as financially. On the financial argument, the argument that people who can buy match packages are minted is quite a general misconception, and people do make sacrifices financially and personally to watch football. Putting it into perspective vs club football, if you support say a SPFL Championship team, your standard ticket price these days is about £22. If you're not a season ticket holder but you go to say 8 of your team's home league games for example, that's £176, as much as the more expensive 5 match package for the national team, which is in far greater demand. Many supporters of club teams will go to a greater amount of games than 8 per season and not think twice about it. The SFA gave everyone plenty of notice some weeks ago, the tickets are released on or around this month's pay day, even if £150/175 is a struggle in one go, you have credit cards to pay off next month, you have a couple less random nights getting pished in the next few weeks, whatever it is, if people want to secure tickets for all these games it's not an insurmountable task without trying to organise people's finances for them and assuming people who would like to commit to buying Scotland tickets have their priorities in order and are financially solvent enough that they can think about going to football because they generally have their house in order. If not, then fundamentally their priorities need to change. On the flip side, there are currently about 12,000 more seats in Hampden than there are members, meaning there will be a general sale for tickets in any case, you have the chance to buy tickets you really want and/or can afford on your account and still get points. The question re: harvesting for home games is what kind of controls this app has going for it. No one seems to know what the script with it is exactly yet. Maybe that will give the SSC a chance to get some kind of control that people are asking for on this. It seems to be the way it is going. But let's see.

Ah ok, I always assumed you would apply Tierney as one of the full back quota, who helpfully plays LCB. That way you free a space up either way to get someone else in like an extra forward for example. So in my mind in a 23 man squad your full back options are for example: Tierney, Hickey, Robbo, Patterson

All fair but I'd be very surprised to see Doig come in at this point over a Patterson, regardless of his game time, especially as that would leave us with 4 left backs and zero natural right backs in the squad.

Personal tale of woe re: system today, normally I put people's issues largely down to folk no being able to work a computer as usually it's very straightforward. The same still goes for the embarrassing amount of people who still can't work an e-ticket at the gate. The issue was our mate who was booking on behalf of everyone else added all friends and family by email address rather than by supporters' number. This automatically created completely new supporter IDs on the existing email addresses and new supporters numbers for memberships that didn't exist, which when you think about it really doesn't make sense why they would let that happen. To rectify he had to re-add everyone by our old supporters number, and everyone had to get a new consent email and wait in the queue to get on the site. Thankfully everyone was available to check emails and consent again. The only consequence was this took a couple of hours to sort out and we've ended up in D5 as opposed to C4 where we would normally look.

Yeah don't get me wrong I would put Christie with at least a 75% chance of being included, with or without Fraser. It's just overall a pretty interesting development with Fraser knuckling down and showing a bit of character/humility to drop to the Championship and find form, as well as Christie dropping back, which I don't think anyone would have seen coming, possibly even Clarke.

I do agree. Gilmour has had to be relatively patient in finding a club to settle with at the right level where he gets regular first team game time. I think that says more about his potential prospects than whether or not he is good enough. All things considered 23 caps already while going through these early career transitions is quite impressive. I do think we are still yet to see the best of Gilmour in terms of his role to play for Scotland in the next 5-8 years as other members of our midfield fade away. He will be a really important player for us, whereas at the moment he is useful but not quite pivotal. On this point, the Croatia caps numbers is a great example of how they have been a consistent force in qualification and also doing very well in tournaments. That also breeds a consistent core of players. This is something at the time of Euro 2020 we didn't have, and we are not quite there yet but a good illustration of what we can hopefully aspire to build over the coming handful of years with the current crop. I still think there is more to come from this Scotland squad than the relative success we have seen. Obviously with it being Scotland, I can just as easily see us looking back at this in 10 years when we're shite again wondering where it all went wrong.

Good topic. Re: Souttar - if fit and in form, which was always the worry, we really don't have a centre back nearly as good as him on his day. Other CBs, interesting with Porteous, I've always rated his game with Scotland, Watford aren't doing well at the minute. We have a few more options in this position than we have had typically of recent years, but still not overly blessed. On forwards/wingers, Fraser's form this season really does raise a query for Clarke, who's poor relationship with Fraser has been made probably more public than he would like. Whether a possible Fraser inclusion brings a question over Christie as well as Christie's recent position change deeper in the midfield, is very interesting. The question with Shankland despite his form was always whether Clarke preferred the option to use Brown for his pace. That should be sealed now with Brown's injury. Midfield I have absolutely no concerns over unless we get some injuries creeping in. Open questions include Jack's form, does he miss out if he can't get in a competitive Rangers midfield. Also McLean who has always been the very obvious "next one out" for some years, but his ability to cover CB is a point and he also I'm sure is very liked and helpful to have around the squad.

Been a lot happening with this over the last few weeks so trying to keep track. If we could validate my current understanding? Robertson - played 87mins yesterday so assume back to full fitness Tierney - Back on the bench most recently, has been playing in a limited capacity? Hickey - played only 9 games this season with an injury since October? Worrying if true Brown - out for the season - OUT Barnes (if eligible) - back playing recently Not sure if Im missing anyone else of note

Just in case anyone was wondering (doubtful given the low response to this 😄) I didn't end up going to the game as they would be quite strict with someone using an incorrect card now, with many of the games behind closed doors or with a significantly reduced allocation due to escalation in crowd trouble this year. The stadium is also about 6 miles outside the main part of Limassol and I didn't really have the time in the end. I'm sure a few will already have been, but should a future away day ever be played in Limassol it is definitely recommended. It's got much more of a city feel to it than a Larnaca or Paphos and has a nice little old town with little narrow streets and plenty bars and restaurants, and also has a beautiful long marina. 45mins direct bus from Paphos airport.

I'm travelling to Cyprus this weekend and was looking at getting a ticket to Aris Limassol v Omonia Nicosia on Sunday. To buy a ticket you need a KOA fan card, exactly like a lot of people had to apply for to get home end tickets when we visited last year. I got an away end ticket so didn't have to apply for a card. I have had my application rejected twice due to resolution issues with my images of my ID or passport pic. The pictures are perfect and have been used for other offocial applications so I'm not sure what the issue is. I assume this is an automated check. Does anyone have any advice on this and how they managed to get around issues? Similarly, if it's looking too late to have my card accepted in time for the game on Sunday, what were the stadium checks like? If anyone would be able to send me details of a card they got approved for last year? I would imagine the security process for domestic games might be much different to an international that's 90% away fans together. But worth a try as the tickets aren't expensive. Appreciate any help or advice!

Dykes will be the most likely striker to start nevermind being excluded from the squad fs

Booked Faro mostly due to proximity to the airport as I've booked a 7am flight out the morning after the game (all-nighter incoming). But I also had a feeling that Albufeira just wasn't convenient enough for the stadium so thanks for clarifying that those who have already been. I also try to avoid where possible spending my entire time in obvious TA drunken cesspits, and try to do a bit more with my time (at least until evening time) - so Albufeira seems like a very clear AVOID for me across the board.

Dykes has enough credit with the national team that until he starts to let us down consistently in a dark blue jersey he is without question going to be in every squad if not starting most games. And most importantly he fits our system exactly how Clarke wants a centre forward to play. Until we find someone who fits our system better and/or we change system he will start, otherwise we are going back into conversations over starting certain players for goal scoring record rather than what they can bring to the team overall

For the avoidance of any doubt, Scotland are the football team that all of us on this forum are jointly supporting, and as such I don't think we should give much of a toss about club performance, especially for players that have rarely let us down. Agree with similar comments over internationals being stylistically different from club football, less games so higher leverage on specific incidents = less risk taken etc. Club performance can be used as a leading indicator for what we might expect from players at internationals, for example Christie's recent position change, low goal total for Dykes, Kenny McLean playing more centre back etc etc. These will be factors to consider but only one of several factors taken into acount by Clarke when considering the players to build a team around for 90mins for 2 games every few months

I think this is related to the 5 at the back system we've used mostly in recent years starting with McLeish, which to be fair was a bit of a disaster for us in it's early adaptation as it seemed like we were badly exposed on the break when we lost the ball. This did give us the chance to try KT and Robertson down the same side with the RB poisition being more suited to a wing back like a Ryan Fraser at the time and not a true defender. If we remember the last handful of Strachan games Tierney was indeed playing on the right, in the absence of a true right back that was up to international standard. I remember we went through Callum Paterson, Liam Palmer and eventually settled for a while with SOD. Even to this day arguably our first choice RB is playing out of position, although Nathan Paterson I do think is a good attacking option as a backup.

So basically, I’m hungover this Monday and I found myself watching highlights of the end of Strachan’s tenure and the start of McLeish’s second spell. It got me thinking about those times to now with the position we’ve landed in of relative success, that unintentionally, Alex McLeish’s appointment after Strachan left was a good thing for the National Team in the long run. Before everyone thinks I’m at the windup, cast ourselves back to the end of Strachan. We had just crashed out of WC qualifying despite a decent run of form towards the end of the campaign. Strachan’s squad was aging, and the main criticism of his reign was his loyalty to players who weren’t playing for their clubs and not doing it for the national side either, over more up and coming players. Those players who were towards the end of their international careers mostly disappeared with Strachan leaving, from memory by mutual consent having failed to qualify from 2 campaigns. The squad would fall into a natural transition and whoever took over would have a real job on their hands to get the team back on their feet to immediately compete. Then the SFA went through what seemed like an oddly protracted recruitment drive for a manager. The whole Michael O’Neill episode where it seemed to be all agreed including him wanting to have those friendly matches in South America, only to stay with NI. Not sure we’ll ever know really what happened there but it was an odd one. Alex McLeish stepped in out of obscurity, to a poor public reaction. Make no mistake, McLeish was out of his depth with his second spell in charge, some of his tactics and dithery interviews where he made some laughable analysis was hard to watch. The media I think weren’t as hard on him as they might have been but the fan reaction in my opinion was a disgrace. People can vote with their feet and not go to games, which I find to be the most elegant form of showing discontent. The problem I had was that people had a certain opinion of McLeish – he’s finished, he’s a turncoat, he doesn’t have a clue, whatever – there were Scotland die hard fans I spoke to on trips who seemed more interested in having their opinions on McLeish be right than want the team to do well. The team he inherited had to be built from scratch, and some of the players available clearly weren’t up to it, but he also managed to get the first 10 or so caps for a lot of players to establish themselves at that level who are now automatic starters for our squad. Robertson also got to cut his teeth as captain although we can probably agree that was a difficult teething process for a while. There were some calamitous performances and results, but he also somehow managed to navigate the most important games of his tenure which were the (admittedly straightforward) Nations League Group, and practically got us our backdoor entry to Euro 2020 in a sense. By the end the performances were too bad and the vitriol from the fans was too toxic. The “fan” behaviour in San Marino for his last game must be a particular lowlight of my life following Scotland. He had to go. But had we had a manager who might have got slightly more out of the players we had available, whether O’Neill or someone else, we might have missed the boat on the current set up we have. It’s hard to imagine anyone under any circumstances to have done as well as Clarke has done. Steve Clarke was the right man at the right time, within SFA’s budget, coming off the best season most Killie fans will ever remember having seen, and given his experiences and where he was in his career seemed less likely to jump ship to England if things were going well since he would be unlikely to have an itch to scratch there. We now have a manager and a coaching team who have worked on a system which maximizes our assets, even where we have an overload of quality in the same positions and allows to protect our weaknesses in the squad somewhat as well. This is all a bit of a butterfly effect theory, but basically with McLeish taking most of the flak and by extension taking some of the negative attention away from players in their first few caps who are now guaranteed to be in the Euros squad, a lot of the same players playing under an early adaptation of our current 5 at the back system, and the timing of McLeish’s exit and Steve Clarke’s ascent with Killie, it’s fair to say that despite that specific period being a really difficult time to support the national team, it’s all worth it now. Especially when we win the Euros!