theabsentee
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Posts posted by theabsentee
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1 hour ago, Caledonian Craig said:
Kieran Tierney on as sub for Real Sociedad and he has an assist to their equaliser.
Great to hear, sounds like Sociedad are managing his fitness well, not pushing him to play 90 mins & risk another potential set back.
Patterson isn't even getting a few minutes these days, Dyche still kept a centre back playing at right back on even though Everton where 2-0 down at half time. Some Everton fans really not happy about his lack of chances.This situation really can't be good for the lads confidence.
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24 minutes ago, thesaint said:
What site?
DHgate , they also have a decent app
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4 hours ago, LoganRoy said:
I like it! It's radical, and instantly goes into the love/hate debate.
Robbo lifting the Euro trophy in that in July please.
I quite like it also though could be better , I do like the idea of navy blue & light blue combo as long as navy dominates, summit like the one below with as bit less light blue would have been nicer . I don't mind though at DHgate prices 😊
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3 hours ago, syecosse said:
Cole Mckinnon came on for Rangers at Benfica for about 15 mins, seems to be getting a bit of praise on twitter.
Worked hard & got a good shot block in. Don't know much about him but it's promising that Clement rates him highly enough to bring him on.
Souttar had a solid game apart from giving away what looked a soft pen for heading the ball onto his own arm.
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24 minutes ago, ceudmilefailte said:
Call him up and there was a 50/50 chance he wouldn’t turn up. My interpretation was that Clarke was making an example of him. Having said that he was in pretty poor form back then so it was an easy choice.
interesting to see what happens next. II 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.
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31 minutes ago, The Black Bra said:
Hopefully that’s the whole issue with Barnes (and Gordon) put to bed now.
31 minutes ago, The Black Bra said:Hopefully that’s the whole issue with Barnes (and Gordon) put to bed now.
Yeh I read the Barnes interview on the Newcastle website a couple of days ago but couldn't be bothered posting it. He still thinks he is good enough to get another chance with England so good luck to him though I doubt he is. Gordon should be in there squad now, he is quality.
They are grandparents eligible players anyway so it's no surprise. Much prefer we stick to chasing the players with a Scottish parent.
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10 hours ago, ceudmilefailte said:
He was fit and on the bench because he’s not actually very good. Another player people are getting over excited about simply because of one stat.
He doesn't have to be very good to get in our squad in his position. In fact a cynic could say that's been the case for nearly 30 years.
Conway at 21 may not quite be ready but he doesn't need to improve much as there's certainly not much of a gap between him & who he is competing with.
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Ross Stewart is back in light training, his club not sure if he'll be back before the end of the season.
No chance of him making Germany realistically but it'd be good for him to get a handful of club games in before the end of the season as I do think he has the potential to be a Scotland squad regular.
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12 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:
Yes this report states likely to miss upcoming friendlies but at least it gives Clarke the chance to look at different midfield combinations:-
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1 hour ago, Caledonian Craig said:
Being reported as an achilles strain.
Yes Rodgers said it shouldn't be long term but he might not be back in time for the international break. Its not a bad thing for Scotland him getting a little break, maybe John McGinn could do with one also we just don't want any of our players getting a knock during last couple of weeks of season.
McGregor's injury might mean we get what a few of us want, Christie tried out in a deeper role against the Dutch.
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32 minutes ago, Tartan blood said:
It's not out of the realms of possibility that this could be our starting 11:
Gunn
Souttar McKenna Tierney
Hickey Robertson
Gilmour Christie
McGinn McTominay
Shankland
With the exception of the goalie, all our outfield players would be in decent leagues/teams. From a psychological point of view, that could be very advantageous.
I'd be very happy with that starting 10 against Germany , only up front i would go with Adams if he finishes the season well & looks sharp in training.
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7 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:
Guarantee that none of the media reports have nothing coming from Harvey Barnes though to substantiate them. Until I see him in an interview speaking of a desire to play for Scotland he remains an England international. Any other stance is wrong in my book questioning his commitment to a cause he has already chosen. Fair
Fair enough. I don't see Fraser as a similar type player to Conway or Hardie, they are in the mix with Adams, Dykes & Shankland & it's hard to see Clarke picking 4 centre forwards though personally I think he should for this month's friendlies.
Conway I've high hopes for but he hasn't been consistent enough so maybe Hardie is more deserving. I've never seen much of him but I believe he is much improved has plenty pace , works extremely hard & can finish.
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5 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said:
I have seen no indication anywhere at any time that Barnes is ready to or wants to or has even ever considered wanting to represent Scotland. Just now it is the figment of some Scotland supporters' imagination. Given too the Anderson debacle who is a team mate of Barnes at Newcastle and that Barnes has already commited to England (unlike Anderson had) makes it even less likely.
I thought there was more to it than just wishful thinking from fans , just googled it & it has been rumoured by various publications including talk sport. Though most rumours don't amount to much but do think if it's going to happen it will happen soon as Christie's switch of position has opened a place for a player like Barnes.
Misprint in my previous post it's Harvey B of course , Ashley B is the ex Burnley battering ram forward.
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Totally agree, looks like Christie has finally found his most effective position. His form playing deeper has surely been too good to ignore by Clarke.
Don't know how you'll feel about it but reckon Frasers injury may mean if Ashley Barnes is going to commit to us this is his time.
8 hours ago, Caledonian Craig said:I hope Clarke does not take the easy way out and name Christie as one of the strikers again.
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Ryan Fraser out for a month, so if he is to be recalled by Scotland it'll not be until the summer.
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On 2/26/2024 at 4:27 PM, DesiScotsman said:
I think you have it spot on there baring injuries of course as stated. I would go for the same selection with the two remaining places going to ideally two centre backs.
Hickey and Tierney are the two major doubts. Hickey has been injured since Oct and I don't think even his club manager knows when he is due to return. Tierney is massively injury prone and who knows if he can stay well clear of injuries between now and this summer.
What position is Archie Gray? I know he's English but qualifies to play for us through his dad & heard good positive reviews about him.
Archie plays right back but he switched to left back late on in Leeds last game assisted in a goal. Actually think the lads naturally a midfield player so he can play a few positions, as can Livramento so for us would be a huge coup to get either of them committed. Highly unlikely to happen sadly even though I'm sure Clarke & Co are trying.
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11 hours ago, Squirrelhumper said:
Yeah, superb squad we have.
Going to see them vs Hibs tomorrow.
Enjoy & look forward to a positive report👍
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My baring injuries automatic choices would be
GK. Gunn, Clark, Gordon
FB. Robbo, Hickey , Patterson
CD. Tierney, Souttar, McKenna
MID. McGinn, McTominay, Gilmour, Christie , McGregor , Ferguson, McLean
ATTACK. Adams , Shankland, Dykes, Fraser, Barnes.
That's 21 & a bit defensively light so 1 from Hanley, Hendry, Porteous & in my dreamy head the last place goes to Livramento or Archie Gray😊
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15 minutes ago, N4Footsoldier said:
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.
Totally agree with nearly everything you've written apart from the re-emergence of Fraser being a potential threat to Christie's inclusion. What Christie's emergence as a deeper midfielder may have done is end Ryan Jacks international career unless he plays a pivotal role for Rangers from now until the seasons end.
I'd go as far as to say Christie deserves to start next to Gilmour against Netherlands in the friendly & if they pairing works well against Germany also. 🏴💪
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On 2/20/2024 at 11:49 AM, Squirrelhumper said:
I think Watson has all the attributes to go far in the game and certainly play overseas. Our U18 side a joy to watch just now, Chris Burke has a fantastic team, none more so than his 15 year old son who starts every game and is a stand out.
Pretty impressive job being done by Burke & Killie considering the old firm will have such a bigger budget , it's no fluke either when you see killie's far superior goal difference .
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5 hours ago, daviebee said:
Who was the young guy with the wacky name that went from Aberdeen to Ibrox? Haven't seen him appear in any of the lower age squads. (I'd obviously recognise the name if I saw it!) He was meant to be a superstar in the making.
Heard the other day as well that Liverpool are supposed to be in for Frimpong. Not sure where that'd leave Calvin Ramsay considering there's a N Irish guy the same age already getting first team games there at right-back.
Ramsay isn't even starting in league 1 with Bolton currently, he really needs a run of games to build confidence.
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4 hours ago, scotlad said:
I think the fact he isn't even 18 yet but he's a regular in a Championship side - and one that is on course for promotion to the EPL at that - tells me how good he is. I'd even go as far as to say he's possibly good enough to make our senior squad now, considering our options at RB outwith Aaron Hickey are the benchwarming Nathan Patterson and Tony Ralston.
I know he's his own person but given his family history there is something that just doesn't sit right about him representing anyone apart from Scotland, but especially England. It feels a bit like a Laudrup representing Sweden.
Definitely good enough now I reckon as no disrespect to Ralston who always gives his all but Gray will be a class above already .
I know what you're saying & maybe if Archie had grown up watching his dad have a successful Scotland career it would have influenced him but the reality was his dad who was also born in Yorkshire only got a couple of token caps under Berti Vogts.
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8 hours ago, broraboy said:
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
Be a huge coup, I've never seen him kick a ball but read he could be a £50 million player within a season or 2. Wont happen though, seriously can't see it though as he is very highly rated & loved by the English.
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13 hours ago, thesaint said:
Trying my best to forget him.😄
🤣 Ok you've a deal for now but be prepared in a month's time his name might be hot on here😉
Scottish players in action 21/22
in TA specific
Posted
Agree, Cooper has barely played all season yet still makes the most predictable defence heavy squad that could be picked.
Nothing to get excited about in this selection & when Clarke trims it to 23 there will be almost no players on the bench capable of changing the game when we are inevitably losing.
Sorry but I think it's really telling how average we are when we can't persuade any of the potential qualifying players that could represent us to commit.
I'm generally a glass half full person but I really fear for us if we lose any of our key players.