Taylor1996 Posted March 8, 2021 Share Posted March 8, 2021 (edited) There's been talk about the squads being increased, so, I'm taking a stab in the dark and will assume that it's squads of 27 . There's some controversial choice, like Michael Johnston, but if he can stay fit, he could be the heir to the McFadden throne. Forrest is out as he's missed most of the season (played more than Johnston this season, but still). Scott McKenna will be back from injury. The most difficult one is RWB. I went for Hickey because 10 starts in Serie A is nothing to be sniffed at. He probably will have learned more in 22 Serie A matches than he would have playing five seasons in the SPL. He will be one of our key players going forward, so why not fast track him. Was a toss-up between Gauld and Christie. Since Gauld is playing in a far better league. Playing for a small team but still being one of the best performers in the league. I'd integrate Hickey, Hendry and Gauld in the first XI for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. First XI: 3-4-1-2 (Use a different formation if you want) Marshall Cooper - Hendry - Tierney Hickey Robertson (C) McTominay - Jack McGinn Dykes - Gauld Gordon (Hearts) Marshall (Derby) McCrorie (Livingston) Robertson (Liverpool) Hanley (Norwich) Tierney (Arsenal) Gallagher (Motherwell) Porteous (Hibernian) Cooper (Leeds) Taylor (Celtic) Hendry (Oostende) McKenna (Nottingham Forest) Hickey (Bologna) McGinn (Aston Villa) McGregor (Celtic) McTominay (Man Utd) McLean (Norwich) Christie (Celtic) Johnston (Celtic) Jack (Rangers) Morgan (Inter Miami) Turnbull (Celtic) Gauld (Farense) Gilmour (Chelsea) Fraser (Newcastle) McBurnie (Sheff Utd) Dykes (QPR) Edited March 8, 2021 by Taylor1996 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor1996 Posted March 8, 2021 Author Share Posted March 8, 2021 19 minutes ago, Taylor1996 said: 22 Serie A matches Meant 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
er yir macaroon Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Porteous and Taylor wouldn’t be in my squad, Armstrong would. There only looks to be one right back there. Nathan Patterson is looking very good and is likely to play in the Europa league again on Thursday. If he continues to feature, I’d be tempted to include him. That said, I’d also include O’Donnell. I guess it’s between Patterson and Hickey plus the experienced O’Donnell. I think Forrest missing most of the season could work in his favour as he’ll be fresh going into the tournament, provided he plays in all Celtic’s games till the end of the season. I’m undecided on Griffiths, but I think rather him than Johnston. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tartan blood Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, Taylor1996 said: There's been talk about the squads being increased, so, I'm taking a stab in the dark and will assume that it's squads of 27 . There's some controversial choice, like Michael Johnston, but if he can stay fit, he could be the heir to the McFadden throne. Forrest is out as he's missed most of the season (played more than Johnston this season, but still). Scott McKenna will be back from injury. The most difficult one is RWB. I went for Hickey because 10 starts in Serie A is nothing to be sniffed at. He probably will have learned more in 22 Serie A matches than he would have playing five seasons in the SPL. He will be one of our key players going forward, so why not fast track him. Was a toss-up between Gauld and Christie. Since Gauld is playing in a far better league. Playing for a small team but still being one of the best performers in the league. I'd integrate Hickey, Hendry and Gauld in the first XI for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. First XI: 3-4-1-2 (Use a different formation if you want) Marshall Cooper - Hendry - Tierney Hickey Robertson (C) McTominay - Jack McGinn Dykes - Gauld Gordon (Hearts) Marshall (Derby) McCrorie (Livingston) Robertson (Liverpool) Hanley (Norwich) Tierney (Arsenal) Gallagher (Motherwell) Porteous (Hibernian) Cooper (Leeds) Taylor (Celtic) Hendry (Oostende) McKenna (Nottingham Forest) Hickey (Bologna) McGinn (Aston Villa) McGregor (Celtic) McTominay (Man Utd) McLean (Norwich) Christie (Celtic) Johnston (Celtic) Jack (Rangers) Morgan (Inter Miami) Turnbull (Celtic) Gauld (Farense) Gilmour (Chelsea) Fraser (Newcastle) McBurnie (Sheff Utd) Dykes (QPR) With an extended squad, there may be space for 1 wildcard. 2 at the most. You've included Gauld, Hickey, Johnstone, Morgan, Gilmour, Porteous, who I'd all put into that category. I think they are all great players with a lot of potential, but I think Gauld is the one wildcard that has an outside chance of making it, IF it's a bigger squad. You do only have 2 strikers though... Edit: Did you deliberately leave out Armstrong? Edited March 9, 2021 by Tartan blood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfingers Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Sorry to burst your bubble but there's no way Gilmour is getting called up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceudmilefailte Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 McCrorie and Gordon as reserve keepers is really scary. Mcglaughlin and Kelly for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor1996 Posted March 9, 2021 Author Share Posted March 9, 2021 4 hours ago, Tartan blood said: With an extended squad, there may be space for 1 wildcard. 2 at the most. You've included Gauld, Hickey, Johnstone, Morgan, Gilmour, Porteous, who I'd all put into that category. I think they are all great players with a lot of potential, but I think Gauld is the one wildcard that has an outside chance of making it, IF it's a bigger squad. You do only have 2 strikers though... Edit: Did you deliberately leave out Armstrong? True. Wildcards is the word I'd choose, but it would be a bold selection, looking at both the present and the future. With all due respect to players like Paterson, Palmer and Considine, etc, they're not going to improve us. Yeah. I know. We only really play with one true striker. A case could be made for Nisbet. I did. I didn't want to say much about that as it will derail the thread. But yeah, no Armstrong. Maybe he can watch the Euro's from home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor1996 Posted March 9, 2021 Author Share Posted March 9, 2021 3 hours ago, bigfingers said: Sorry to burst your bubble but there's no way Gilmour is getting called up. I don't know. It is my squad, though. 18 minutes ago, ceudmilefailte said: McCrorie and Gordon as reserve keepers is really scary. Mcglaughlin and Kelly for me. Gordon, only because of his experience and he can he trusted. The other three are as tenuous as each other. The goalkeeping situation has replaced center back as our biggest worry going forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davied14 Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 Barring injury I'll be amazed if at least nine of the starting 11 for the Czech doesn't come from: Marshall McTominay - Cooper - Tierney O'Donnell - Jack- McGregor - Robertson McGinn Dykes - Fraser Clarke won't stray too far from what got us through the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
romanticscot Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 A 27 man squad would be great for the Euro's, are there any leagues currently affected and having to rush the end of their seasons with fixture congestion to support such a large group of players? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASTA Mick Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 2 hours ago, Davied14 said: Barring injury I'll be amazed if at least nine of the starting 11 for the Czech doesn't come from: Marshall McTominay - Cooper - Tierney O'Donnell - Jack- McGregor - Robertson McGinn Dykes - Fraser Clarke won't stray too far from what got us through the playoffs. We've not actually won for 3 games now and only scored once in those 3 matches. Fraser coming back in would be a big boost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noctonjock Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 I'd have Armstrong in the team not just the squad . Hes playing really well for Southampton and I do rate him certainly higher than some that have been mentioned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyBlueScot Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 I'd pick Gauld amongst the forwards just because other options are so bad. Gilmour will miss out but I am absolutely certain would be in if he was playing anywhere else. My squad of 25 1. Marshall 2. Gordon 3. McLaughlin 4. O'Donnell 5. Palmer (but hoping Paterson if he gets game time and proves himself) 6. Robertson 7. Taylor 8. Tierney 9. Cooper 10. Gallagher 11. McKenna 11. Hendry 12. Hanley? 13. Jack 15. McTominay 16. McGregor 17. Christie 18. Forrest 19. Armstrong 20. McGinn 21. Turnbull 22. Dykes 23. McBurnie 24. Gauld 25. 1 other forward depending on form Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scot1 Posted March 9, 2021 Share Posted March 9, 2021 (edited) Not going to list the whole squad but just my starting 11 Marshall Hendry Gallagher Cooper Rooney Tierney McTominay McGinn Armstrong Dykes Fraser I do realise that this isn’t going to happen, but out the players who are getting regular game time and in decent form at the moment this is the team I’d choose to play in the upcoming WC qualifiers Edited March 9, 2021 by Scot1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ElChris04 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Armstrong being left out is utterly bonkers to me, I’d have though he’d be a staple in everyone’s team giving his brilliant consistency at club level with Southampton at the highest level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor1996 Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 13 hours ago, romanticscot said: A 27 man squad would be great for the Euro's, are there any leagues currently affected and having to rush the end of their seasons with fixture congestion to support such a large group of players? I'm not really sure. None that I know of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor1996 Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 14 minutes ago, ElChris04 said: Armstrong being left out is utterly bonkers to me, I’d have though he’d be a staple in everyone’s team giving his brilliant consistency at club level with Southampton at the highest level. If picking players on the basis of club form, McBurnie wouldn't be in the squad. I've poured through Armstrong's record for Scotland: 22 appearances, 2 goals and 0 assists (unless you count the assist for Harry Kane). Yes, he performs for Southampton, but not for Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanderark14 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 7 hours ago, Scot1 said: Not going to list the whole squad but just my starting 11 Marshall Hendry Gallagher Cooper Rooney Tierney McTominay McGinn Armstrong Dykes Fraser I do realise that this isn’t going to happen, but out the players who are getting regular game time and in decent form at the moment this is the team I’d choose to play in the upcoming WC qualifiers Robertson will play, that's guaranteed. Tierney will be left of the 3 with robertson as wing back. Robertsons team.may off form but he is still a very good player, he will play every game in the euros if he is free of injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanderark14 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 1 hour ago, ElChris04 said: Armstrong being left out is utterly bonkers to me, I’d have though he’d be a staple in everyone’s team giving his brilliant consistency at club level with Southampton at the highest level. Are you talking about starting 11 or the squad? Armstrong should definitely be in the squad but it's up for debate if he should start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scot1 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 23 minutes ago, vanderark14 said: Robertson will play, that's guaranteed. Tierney will be left of the 3 with robertson as wing back. Robertsons team.may off form but he is still a very good player, he will play every game in the euros if he is free of injury. I realise Clarke isn’t going to drop his captain, Robertson. But being honest, and I was an avid advocate of playing both Robertson and Tierney in a back 3/5 to get them both on the pitch at the same time. It’s not worked as well as I’d hoped offensively. Defensively it’s looked solid, but I was hoping that we’d look more dangerous down the left offensively. To be fair it’s still early days and Robertson does seem to be gradually growing into the wing-back role. But perhaps it’s time to have them both competing for the 1 spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ElChris04 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, Taylor1996 said: If picking players on the basis of club form, McBurnie wouldn't be in the squad. I've poured through Armstrong's record for Scotland: 22 appearances, 2 goals and 0 assists (unless you count the assist for Harry Kane). Yes, he performs for Southampton, but not for Scotland. At the end of the day the principle of football is calling up players on form and he’s doing that at the highest level, aye we can show loyalty to a certain few who maybe aren’t doing it at club level that fit Clarke’s system and played part in our qualifying campaign, but Armstrong is a key asset to have if it’s starting or coming off the bench with his ability. 1 hour ago, vanderark14 said: Are you talking about starting 11 or the squad? Armstrong should definitely be in the squad but it's up for debate if he should start. 23 man team being a staple. As for starting it’s a fair debate to discuss on his current form he’s currently in, but aye an absolute staple I would have thought for the 23 man squad at the least. Edited March 10, 2021 by ElChris04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killiefaetheferry Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Armstrong has been excellent in his last few games. Interesting to see him against Manchester City tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taylor1996 Posted March 10, 2021 Author Share Posted March 10, 2021 19 minutes ago, ElChris04 said: At the end of the day the principle of football is calling up players on form and he’s doing that at the highest level, aye we can show loyalty to a certain few who maybe aren’t doing it at club level that fit Clarke’s system and played part in our qualifying campaign, but Armstrong is a key asset to have if it’s starting or coming off the bench with his ability. Fair enough, we're all entitled to our opinion. What he did against England was unforgivable. On that account, I'd never want him selected again. I'm actually surprised that so many Scotland fans forgive him. Personally, that match still stings. But as I said, I respect everyones opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Scotlandfan Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 1 hour ago, Taylor1996 said: Fair enough, we're all entitled to our opinion. What he did against England was unforgivable. On that account, I'd never want him selected again. I'm actually surprised that so many Scotland fans forgive him. Personally, that match still stings. But as I said, I respect everyones opinions. Dismissing his ability over one mistake is bizarre. If Gordon had come out and claimed the cross or if Griffiths had closed down the man crossing you would have forgotten about it. Players make mistakes all the time. He’s obviously good enough for Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davied14 Posted March 10, 2021 Share Posted March 10, 2021 Re: Armstrong, is he capable of playing in one of the deeper midfield roles (Jack/McGregor) or is he purely vying for the more advanced role that McGinn normally fills? I think that McCrorie is potentially a dark horse to make the squad due to his versatility. Offers cover at CB, CM and RB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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