I cannot wait for it to start. But what do you really think? will we finish above the Netherlands? Henry is backing us. I would say if we win the first 3 i think we will win the group. If we drop any points in the opening 3 we can get 2nd. News is that Macedonia are upping there challenge by moving our opening game to 3pm with hope that the baking heat will cost Scotland points on the road. This opening game i think is the dodgey one! What is everyone thinking pre-tournament? Scotland to finish second then hump England in a playoff...now that would be exciting!
We should at least get second in the group IMO, the Norwegians are a hard working side but they lacked anything special in their Euro qualifiers. Holland are beatable as was shown by Russia in the Euros, let's hope we can top the group especially if we are able to beat Holland at home. However a play off place is also decent, beating England in that would be something special BTW anyone know when tickets will go on sale for the first round?
You have to think we''ll come second. I think we have as much chance of finishing above Holland as Norway do of finishing above us. I think Macedonia are a tough team and could cost us but I don't think they'll finish above us.
2nd I think is very realistc, Norway aren't as good as they appear to be at times and Mace are a poor sid at best but they can be tough at home. That match i belive will decide on weather we finish second or first. Holand will be tough at home so we must get a win at home and hope Holand slips against Norway so where along the line.
2nd place in the group is very realistic..if everything goes to plan, then the 2nd placed teams in the groups according to seedings would be.. sweden israel poland russia turkey england bulgaria romania in a play-off over two legs i think we can beat anyone there. this is definently our best chance in a while to qualify for a major tournament.
Its going to happen. We will win this group and i think we will beat our personal best and make it to the knockout stages with a bit of luck. With a bit of luck the world cup is in the bag. Here we come!
far too much alcohol being consumed these days by members of this board... i blame the Yank for it...
well take it one game at a time starting with macedonia away. northern ireland game should help burley find out exactly who he wants to play. itll be a tough hostile environment i assume and england only got a 0-0 there when they played. a win is a must though to keep up with holland in the early going.
squad for the friendly against N. Ireland. Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Sunderland), David Marshall (Norwich City), Allan McGregor (Rangers) Defenders: Darren Barr (Falkirk), Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Callum Davidson (Preston North End), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Kevin McNaughton (Cardiff City), Gary Naysmith (Sheffield United), Steven Whittaker (Rangers) Midfielders: Scott Brown (Celtic), Kris Commons (Derby County), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Paul Hartley (Celtic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Gavin Rae (Cardiff City), Barry Robson (Celtic) , Kevin Thomson (Rangers) Forwards: Kris Boyd (Rangers), David Clarkson (Motherwell), Steven Fletcher (Hibernian), James McFadden (Birmingham City), Kenny Miller (Rangers) keepers as expected. nice to see Darren Barr get a call up. he always looks decent anytime i see him live or on TV. hopefully he gets some playing time in this one. preferably ahead of Berra who i just don't rate that highly. Callum Davidson? back in at 32? midfielders are mostly the usual suspects although i have no idea what sort of player Kris Commons is. Burley obviously knows him quite well from his time down there. i'd like to see him get some time as well, purely because i've never seen him play before. at least i don't think i have. could be a big season for Michael Stewart. if he has a good season at Hearts he may force his way in. strikers are the norm mainly as well. surprised though that McCormack didn't get the nod again. not sure what hes done wrong since the last time he played. i'd still like to see Lee Miller be given a chance in a friendly such as this but it doesn't look like its ever going to happen for him.
call off time again. here are the 5 that have called off (so far...) - Gary Caldwell Paul Hartley Gavin Rae Kevin McNaughton Callum Davidson George has called up three replacements - Michael Stewart Davie Weir Graham Alexander i like the Stewart call up although i doubt he'll play but if he continues to improve this season then he may get a chance, eventually. perplexed by Weir and Alexander. any point in calling up either of these players for a friendly? they both served Scotland well but are surely past playing their best, especially at international level.
yep. i get that. which is why i said if he continues to improve this season. even so, i doubt he'll get near the pitch. what i don't get is picking over 35yr olds for a friendly, even if they're only part of the squad!?!?
Scotland will finish 2nd in the group. Anyone in the group has as good a chance or better of toppling us than we do of toppling De Oranje. I make this claim based solely on pace of play. Holland has everyone in this group outmatched based soley and purely on pace. As far as weir getting in...I don't get it, I would actually prefer Dailly or Webster to get a sniff before old man time does...especially in a friendly, get some unproven qualities in and see what they can/could do. No Bazza/Hartley combo is going to hurt.
Does anyone give a sh1t about tonights game? Two weeks into the season and already an international game. Seems a bit silly.
Game has kicked off and as usual the bigots (Tartan Army) have boo'ed God Save the Queen, I swear to God they are all borderline retarded. From the beeb:
Dose any one know roughtly how much a ticket to a home qualifyer will be. As i am hoping to go to Scotland VS Norway. Any help will be appriciated. thanks