Georgia V Scotland - Match Thread

[wanderer]

I think with so many key players out Clarke took the chance to try some new idea's.... didn't work, but didn't quite fail either.

Patterson being in and out the Everton team does not help, as he had spells of really good play, but on the whole it felt like the Georgian's had him in his back pocket.

End of the day, Georgia are still a team who have only lost 1 home game in something like 3 years, and while we might have turned off a little, they clearly have both eyes on their Nations League play off in March.

I think on Sunday Clarke will probably revert back closer to his regular system.

[Caledonian Craig]

I reckon Jack Hendry did not play against Georgia as he was on two bookings and another booking would have seen him banned for the Norway match. Clarke probably felt they could make do without him V Georgia but not Norway.

[Scot1]

42 minutes ago, wanderer said:

I think with so many key players out Clarke took the chance to try some new idea's.... didn't work, but didn't quite fail either.

Patterson being in and out the Everton team does not help, as he had spells of really good play, but on the whole it felt like the Georgian's had him in his back pocket.

End of the day, Georgia are still a team who have only lost 1 home game in something like 3 years, and while we might have turned off a little, they clearly have both eyes on their Nations League play off in March.

I think on Sunday Clarke will probably revert back closer to his regular system.

I still think Patterson will eventually become the best right back we have. I think it might take a bit longer than I’d hoped though.

[er yir macaroon]

 

23 man squad

 

Gunn 1

Gordon 2 

McCrorie 3

Hickey 4

Patterson 5

Robertson 6

Tierney 7

Hendry 8

Porteous 9

McKenna 10

Gilmour 11

McGregor 12

McTominay 13

McGinn 14

Armstrong 15

McLean 16

Ferguson 17

Dykes 18

Christie 19

Adams 20

Doak 21 

Brown 22

Shankland 23

 

 

 

[Caledonian Craig]

6 minutes ago, er yir macaroon said:

 

23 man squad

 

Gunn 1

Gordon 2 

McCrorie 3

Hickey 4

Patterson 5

Robertson 6

Tierney 7

Hendry 8

Porteous 9

McKenna 10

Gilmour 11

McGregor 12

McTominay 13

McGinn 14

Armstrong 15

McLean 16

Ferguson 17

Dykes 18

Christie 19

Adams 20

Doak 21 

Brown 22

Shankland 23

 

 

 

Yes I would take that but I don't see McCrorie making the squad ahead of Clark or Kelly whilst hew remains at Rangers playing no football. I would love to see Doak there but time is sort of running out.

[er yir macaroon]

36 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said:

Yes I would take that but I don't see McCrorie making the squad ahead of Clark or Kelly whilst hew remains at Rangers playing no football. I would love to see Doak there but time is sort of running out.

I think McCrorie should go for the experience. We don’t need 3 keepers (but obliged to select them). Surely McCrorie won’t be at Rangers next season. Still time for Doak. It’s obvious we need to have the option of blistering pace off the bench. I’m sure Clarke would have put him on last night if he’d made the squad - much like he did with Shankland. 

[ProudScot]

41 minutes ago, Caledonian Craig said:

Yes I would take that but I don't see McCrorie making the squad ahead of Clark or Kelly whilst hew remains at Rangers playing no football. I would love to see Doak there but time is sort of running out.

Clark isn’t an international standard goalie. I’m not convinced Kelly is either 

[Caledonian Craig]

6 minutes ago, ProudScot said:

Clark isn’t an international standard goalie. I’m not convinced Kelly is either 

I am not convinced either and it is an area we desperately need to strengthen. I think we need to have a young keeper in there to mould for the future behind Gunn and Gordon who is preferably getting first team football. There must be one out there somewhere.

[The Black Bra]

7 minutes ago, ProudScot said:

Clark isn’t an international standard goalie. I’m not convinced Kelly is either 

Whether they are or not, I just can’t see Clarke dropping both of them from the Euro squad. When you consider how many squads they’ve been in and the time they’ve had on the pitch since Gunn got injured, it would be brutal to dump them both before the tournament. Clarke is loyal, unless there is an obvious upgrade. Gordon or McCrorie would have to be getting games and playing well.

[The Black Bra]

1 hour ago, er yir macaroon said:

 

23 man squad

 

Gunn 1

Gordon 2 

McCrorie 3

Hickey 4

Patterson 5

Robertson 6

Tierney 7

Hendry 8

Porteous 9

McKenna 10

Gilmour 11

McGregor 12

McTominay 13

McGinn 14

Armstrong 15

McLean 16

Ferguson 17

Dykes 18

Christie 19

Adams 20

Doak 21 

Brown 22

Shankland 23

 

 

 

Think I might be inclined to take another CB, bearing in mind how injury prone Tierney is. Would love to see Doak make it for something different, we’re so lacking up front. What a difference a top class striker would make to this team. 

[Caledonian Craig]

5 minutes ago, The Black Bra said:

Whether they are or not, I just can’t see Clarke dropping both of them from the Euro squad. When you consider how many squads they’ve been in and the time they’ve had on the pitch since Gunn got injured, it would be brutal to dump them both before the tournament. Clarke is loyal, unless there is an obvious upgrade. Gordon or McCrorie would have to be getting games and playing well.

Well if Gordon regains his first team spot at Hearts it sort of puts Clark out of the equation anyway. And lets be honest the No 3 goalie at the Euros is not going to feature so may as well take a younger keeper along with the future in mind.

[Scot1]

I’m hoping Ross Stewart starts to bang the goals in for Southampton and pushes for a spot in the squad. I think he potentially is our best Centre Forward. 

[vanderark14]

6 minutes ago, Scot1 said:

I’m hoping Ross Stewart starts to bang the goals in for Southampton and pushes for a spot in the squad. I think he potentially is our best Centre Forward. 

I didn't realise he was 27 already. If he's banging them on in the championship he will put himself right in the frame for a place.

[Scot1]

6 minutes ago, vanderark14 said:

I didn't realise he was 27 already. If he's banging them on in the championship he will put himself right in the frame for a place.

Yeah he spent many years in lower league clubs in Scotland, even played Juniors at one point, I think. Shame no one seemed to see his talent until so late on. He’s also just spent nearly 1 year out with an ACL. But hopefully he’ll be a late bloomer for Scotland. 

Edited November 17, 2023 by Scot1

[Tartan blood]

2 hours ago, er yir macaroon said:

 

23 man squad

 

Gunn 1

Gordon 2 

McCrorie 3

Hickey 4

Patterson 5

Robertson 6

Tierney 7

Hendry 8

Porteous 9

McKenna 10

Gilmour 11

McGregor 12

McTominay 13

McGinn 14

Armstrong 15

McLean 16

Ferguson 17

Dykes 18

Christie 19

Adams 20

Doak 21 

Brown 22

Shankland 23

 

 

 

I'd have absolutely no problem with that squad. I do think he'll take Hanley and possibly Cooper as well, though. 

The likes of Fraser and Turnbull could stake a claim as well if they can get a run of games in the 2nd half of the season. 

I 100% would include Doak, but Clarke might decide it is just a tad early for him.

Someone mentioned that Clarke may be loyal to certain players. He is to an extent, but I don't think it has ever really stopped him from making big changes. He was loyal to O'Donnell and Gallagher until he wasn't. He will happily drop someone if there is an obviously better player out there.

[theabsentee]

43 minutes ago, Scot1 said:

I’m hoping Ross Stewart starts to bang the goals in for Southampton and pushes for a spot in the squad. I think he potentially is our best Centre Forward. 

I think you might be right, I believe he is very hard working also so he should suit our preferred one up front system.

[er yir macaroon]

Important to note that Doak will be playing tonight for the u21s away v Belgium. Live on the Scotland National Team Youtube page. This is the sort of game for him to stake a claim for the Euros, along with the Nations League and the odd EPL game. 

Edited November 17, 2023 by er yir macaroon

[Diamond Scot]

3 hours ago, er yir macaroon said:

 

23 man squad

 

Gunn 1

Gordon 2 

McCrorie 3

Hickey 4

Patterson 5

Robertson 6

Tierney 7

Hendry 8

Porteous 9

McKenna 10

Gilmour 11

McGregor 12

McTominay 13

McGinn 14

Armstrong 15

McLean 16

Ferguson 17

Dykes 18

Christie 19

Adams 20

Doak 21 

Brown 22

Shankland 23

 

 

 

Squad is far too heavy on attacking players.

Will be at least 1 if not 2 more defenders in there. For a variety of reasons. One being we will play 5 at the back, 2 being one of our defenders (Tierney) is very injury prone and 3 being that defenders are much more likely to get suspended.

I think he takes 3 strikers who will be Adams, Dykes and 1 other between Shankland, Brown, Nisbett

Personally I dont think Doak makes it as he would have to drop one of McGinn, Mactominay, Christie, Armstrong or Ferguson. (Thats bascially 5 players for 2 positions although McTom can play deeper).

 

[Squirrelhumper]

2 hours ago, ProudScot said:

Clark isn’t an international standard goalie. I’m not convinced Kelly is either 

Kelly certainly isn't. Neither are unfortunately. 

Hence why Gordon will be in the squad in March if fit and will also be Hearts number 1. 

[Squirrelhumper]

3 hours ago, er yir macaroon said:

 

23 man squad

 

Gunn 1

Gordon 2 

McCrorie 3

Hickey 4

Patterson 5

Robertson 6

Tierney 7

Hendry 8

Porteous 9

McKenna 10

Gilmour 11

McGregor 12

McTominay 13

McGinn 14

Armstrong 15

McLean 16

Ferguson 17

Dykes 18

Christie 19

Adams 20

Doak 21 

Brown 22

Shankland 23

 

 

 

Doak needs to be playing at some level consistently to make the squad i think. 

 

[Bobby Russell's Lovechild]

I'd rather Marshall come out of retirement than have Kelly or Clark in goal again

[wanderer]

On Radio Scotland last night they were name dropping Harvey Barnes in a way that it sounds like it a done deal that he will switch to us, but nobody is going with the exclusive just yet.

[ProudScot]

56 minutes ago, Squirrelhumper said:

Kelly certainly isn't. Neither are unfortunately. 

Hence why Gordon will be in the squad in March if fit and will also be Hearts number 1. 

Totally agree. I think Gunn, Gordon, McCrorie and in that order would be the three for me

[er yir macaroon]

2 hours ago, Diamond Scot said:

Squad is far too heavy on attacking players.

Will be at least 1 if not 2 more defenders in there. For a variety of reasons. One being we will play 5 at the back, 2 being one of our defenders (Tierney) is very injury prone and 3 being that defenders are much more likely to get suspended.

I think he takes 3 strikers who will be Adams, Dykes and 1 other between Shankland, Brown, Nisbett

Personally I dont think Doak makes it as he would have to drop one of McGinn, Mactominay, Christie, Armstrong or Ferguson. (Thats bascially 5 players for 2 positions although McTom can play deeper).

 

Doak is in, that’s why there’s one fewer defender. Hickey and Tierney are versatile enough to shuffle around, plus if there is a crisis we can go to a back four or use McTominay. Doak salvages games or wins them in the last 15 minutes. At least that’s the plan. Let’s see how he does tonight against top class opposition. 

[er yir macaroon]

2 hours ago, Squirrelhumper said:

Doak needs to be playing at some level consistently to make the squad i think. 

 

Agree to an extent, and that could well happen. A first team game every 3 weeks with u23 games to maintain fitness would be fine. We need a wild card.