Scottish National Team Thread (R)

[SJFC4ever]

I think that was the most shambolic 3-1 win I have seen recently! Defensively we were a mess in the first half, a little better in the second. We only started to control the game properly when Dailly reverted to defence after Ian Murray, a proper midfielder, came on for Wilkie (no knock on him, he got well stuck in)

Plus points from this game:

+ Gallacher
+ Crawford and Thompson
+ Wilkie
+ nice second half from Devlin/Alexander
+ good players to come back (Naysmith, Lambert, Ferguson)

Negative points from this game:

- midfield was awful, particularly first half
- Dailly cannot play holding role!
- Ross is not as good on left as right
- Scot Gemmill. Yes he created the first goal, but to me we need to be moving on to the next generation.

At least an ideal XI seems to be taking shape now:

Douglas

Ross
Dailly
Pressley
Wilkie
Naysmith

Lambert
Ferguson
?????? (McNamara? place up for grabs, IMO)

Crawford
Thompson

Gallacher looks a good second goalie, and there are a couple of U21s knocking on the door. (Murray, Hughes, McFadden, Maloney) It certainly looks much more positive than it did this time last week, :)

[Parkhead_Faithful]

I agree about Ross, Id stick him on the right and as Naysmith is an almost constant crock Kevin Mcnaughton might be worth a look as a left back, Crainey can do it but Id want to see him getting more games.
Devlin when he moved wide was devastating.
And finally we need a midfielder capable of picking the ball up running with it, beating a few men and laying it off, either McFadden or Maloney is well capable.
Its looking good :)

[Blue and White Army]

A Canadian supporter here. Good match today.

Things were surprising from both sides, but I guess that's to be expected when the gaffers of both squads are choosing to train young sides primarily for 2006.

Canada typically have great defending and 'keeping, but lousy defence. Lots of 0-0 draws, generally.

Today, however, was a big surprise. Canada's youngsters are certainly quite talented on the attack, at least they were during that last 20-25 minutes of the first half. They had Scotland reeling, which definitely had me surprised.

2nd half Scotland made big changes, and Vogts likely would be out of a job within a week if he hadn't. Devlin was remarkable with the new tactics, and Scotland tore Canada apart. Not used to seeing the Reds so weak at the back, but our gaffer threw together three lads that don't usually play together, and the results was the obvious shambles you saw before you today.

On both sides, I'd say there was lots of raw young talent. Had either side being playing a more mature and developed side, they'd have been trashed. This is actually a perfect pairing for a friendly, with both teams young and needing to face similar opposition.

Here's to 2006.

[markdickson]

Vogts has fixed up a friendly clash with Portugal for next month, although the Portuguese FA are still to decide on a venue, and the Republic of Ireland have been pencilled in to make a Hampden visit in February.

A bit disappointing to play Portugal away as it is a game we could lose heavily and destroy our new-found confidence.

There will also be several "B" internationals over the next few months in a round-robin, 4-team tournament involving Scotland, Germany, Turkey and the Czech Republic. Scotland B travel to Mainz to face Germany B in December, then play away to the Czech Republic B in May and finally host Turkey B in May. The German B side will contain many of their 2006 World Cup players apparantly.

[markdickson]

Latest scores in our group:

Germany 1-1 Faroe Islands!!! :) (HT)
Iceland 2-0 Lithuania (almost FT)

also England 1-2 Macedonia!!! :) (almost HT)

[markdickson]

Germans go 2-1 up after 60 mins.

Iceland 3 up on Lithuania, almost over.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Doesnt make our 2-2 look so bad now. :)

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Originally posted by markdickson


A bit disappointing to play Portugal away as it is a game we could lose heavily and destroy our new-found confidence.

I was thinking the exact same thing when I heard, I suppose we have to play the best to get better, regardless of wether we take a humping or no.
Never know if we come away with a draw or even a win were on an even bigger high.

[Parkhead_Faithful]

Originally posted by Parkhead_Faithful
I agree about Ross, Id stick him on the right and as Naysmith is an almost constant crock Kevin Mcnaughton might be worth a look as a left back, Crainey can do it but Id want to see him getting more games.
Devlin when he moved wide was devastating.
And finally we need a midfielder capable of picking the ball up running with it, beating a few men and laying it off, either McFadden or Maloney is well capable.
Its looking good :)

Dominic Matteo is a left back too isnt he?
I dont rate him very highly myself but the english media and leeds fans seem to like him.

[markdickson]

Originally posted by markdickson

There will also be several "B" internationals over the next few months in a round-robin, 4-team tournament involving Scotland, Germany, Turkey and the Czech Republic. Scotland B travel to Mainz to face Germany B in December, then play away to the Czech Republic B in May and finally host Turkey B in May. The German B side will contain many of their 2006 World Cup players apparantly.

Going back to the "B" internationals, Scotland will play on December 17, March 5 and May 20. The games will see guys like Colin Cameron, Mark Burchill, Kenny Miller and Steven Glass get opportunities to get into the full squad.

[Ed NYC Firm]

Hmm , I wonder where all our English friends went after this past week ?

[SJFC4ever]

I have been informed that Macedonia is a very nice autumnal holiday destination.

:D

[markdickson]

Scotland's international fixture calendar is taking further shape, with a home match against Austria arranged for next April. Scotland's friendly against Ireland is now rescheduled for February.

The matches present two more opportunities for Berti Vogts to develop the national team for the competitive qualifiers on the road to Euro 2004. Venues will be decided shortly.

Scotland 'A' friendlies:

Portugal v. Scotland
Wednesday, 20 November, 2002
First of May Stadium, Braga, 9.00 pm

Scotland v Republic of Ireland
Wednesday, 12 February, 2003
Venue to be confirmed.

Scotland v. Austria
Wednesday, 30 April, 2003
Venue to be confirmed

Norway v. Scotland
Wednesday, 20 August, 2003
Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo

I hope venue to be confirmed means they are considering playing away from Hampden. A half empty stadium has no atmosphere compared to the likes of Easter Road (Canada) and Pittodrie (Nigeria).

[markdickson]

Scotland Under 21s have arranged another international, away to Belgium next month. The match, on 19 November, will be played in Molenbeek.

The match gives Rainer Bonhof another opportunity to improve his team, which is so far unbeaten in five matches this season. Bonhoff will hope to build on victories over Isreal, Iceland and Ghana, as well as, draws with Denmark and Northern Ireland.

The Under 21s last played in Belgium just a year ago, drawing 0-0 at Sint Truiden.

Match details:
Belgium U21 v Scotland U21
Stade Edmond Machtens, Molenbeek (a suburb of Brussels)
Tuesday, 19 November
Kick-off 5.30 pm.

[Senor Askew]

Originally posted by SJFC4ever
I have been informed that Macedonia is a very nice autumnal holiday destination.

:D

There does seem to be far less hooting and blustery chest beating doesn't there? ;)

[markdickson]

Berti Vogts has confirmed that the Scotland coach's job will be his last in football - but hopes to remain in charge of the national team for the 2008 European Championships.

The former Germany boss is contracted with the SFA until 2006 and, following a torrid start, only began to look safe in his job after wins over Iceland and Canada this month. But Vogts is hopeful that his labour will bear fruit in the longer term and that the Scots are successful in their bid to host Euro 2008.

He told BBC radio: 'I hope we can take Euro 2008 to Scotland and maybe we can do well with the Scottish team and maybe I will stay longer than 2006...

http://www.soccernet.com/scotland/news/2002/1027/20021027scovogts.html

Well the Irish seem set to destroy the Euro 2008 dream but it shows the man is commited.

[markdickson]

NEIL SULLIVAN is desperate to end his season of hell and snatch the Scotland keeper's jersey back from Rab Douglas.

Sullivan lost his Spurs place to Kasey Keller before suffering a broken thumb which has kept him sidelined for the past three months.

But he is now raring to go and said: "I'm only 32. I love playing for Scotland and to do that I have got to have regular first- team football...

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/page.cfm?objectid=12317351&method=full&siteid=89488

[markdickson]

Don Hutchison has suffered a setback in his bid to return from a serious knee injury.

The Hammers' Scottish international midfielder has been out since February but his comeback bid failed when he damaged the same knee in a reseve team clash.

The behind-closed-doors clash with QPR had been arranged to hasten Hutchison's return.

http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1860-1069188,00.html

[markdickson]

Scotland Under 18s are to play two friendly internationals in Germany next week, and coach Ross Mathie has today announced his squad for the trip.

Germany v Scotland
Tuesday, 12 November, 2002
Hasetal Stadium, Herzlake, 6.30 pm

Germany v Scotland
Thursday, 14 November, 2002
August Wenzel Stadium, Barsinghausen, 10.00 am

SCOTLAND UNDER 18 SQUAD
Goalkeepers
David Marshall (Celtic)
Andrew Reid (Nottingham Forest)
Defenders
Fraser Coyle (Rangers)
Gary Irvine (Celtic)
Stephen Low (Celtic)
James McNulty (Wrexham)
Paul Quinn (Motherwell)
Steven Watt (Chelsea)
Midfield
Charles Adam (Rangers)
James Doyle (Leicester City)
Brian McLean (Rangers)
David Pinkowski (Celtic)
Ross Wallace (Celtic)
Jamie Winter (Leeds United)
Forwards
David Clarkson (Motherwell)
Andrew Ferguson (Ayr United)
Ross MacLeod (Heart of Midlothian)
Ryan Wilkie (Liverpool)

[markdickson]

Home friendly with New Zealand being lined up for May 27.