Scotland can take a giant leap towards securing a Euro 2024 play-off spot against Ireland at Hampden tomorrow.
But even Wednesday’s sparkling display that swept aside Ukraine, sending Steve Clarke ’s side to the top of the Nations League group, wasn’t enough to convince everyone the manager has the nation back on track after a stuttering summer.
Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “It was a great result for Scotland against Ukraine. However, there is no secret or great tactical plan to achieving this. It was simply down to playing centre halves at centre half, full backs at full back and midfielders in midfield. Something that until Wednesday, Mr Clark was averse to doing. I worry that this team selection was made due to injury and call offs and not as a tactical choice and that he will revert back to the failed system of the past when he has the full squad available to him.”
Jim McClean, Rothesay, said: “I have said it before and I will say it again, Scotland play better when Andy Robertson is not playing. He is overrated, he might be okay for Liverpool but not Scotland.”
Davie Kirkpatrick, Edinburgh, added: “Scotland were excellent against Ukraine but how often can they string three good performances together? Saturday is an even bigger challenge against an Ireland side that made us look like we’d been on the Guinness in Dublin while Ukraine in Krakow on Tuesday is the real test of this side’s mettle.”
But Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, quipped: “Scotland are entering a new McGinning after their Ukraine result and Euro 24 qualifying looks a strong possibility under Steve Clarke.”
Reader Alan Flett claimed international football should be abolished in yesterday’s Hotline, suggesting it was a hinderance to the football calendar.
But John Scott, Grassmoor, replied: “Alan is surely joking? Champions League over watching the most exciting group of Scotland players in decades! Some of us were sweaty youths when we last saw a Scottish football team that got our nation excited. So long ago we had permed mullets, wore bell bottomed trousers, wrangler jackets, doc martins and reeked of Brut. You can keep your Barca v Man City Alan. I'd rather witness our country's best maturing like a fine wine and reaching major finals any day of the week.”
Sticking with the Hampden theme and Clarke’s employers at the SFA were getting it in the neck after Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin was charged over his “blatant cheating” blast at Hibs’ Ryan Porteous.
Bobby McKee, Paisley, said: “Typical SFA. Jim Goodwin is being punished for calling Ryan Porteous a cheat when every supporter can see he goes down easily under minimal or ‘anticipated’ contact looking for a penalty. He was fouling Liam Scales and goes down as if he's been shot conning the ref. The statistics show 10 out of 11 points gained by Hibs this season were against 10 men, with red cards issued for incidents involving said Porteous.”
Rab Hunter, Dumfries, added: “Now that the SFA have taken action against Goodwin, when can we expect the standard retrospective two match ban for Porteous to be announced in respect of conning a match official into making a game changing decision? Or is this yet another rule that does not relate to teams that wear green and white?”
And John Smith emailed: “The SFA are at it. Robbie Neilson said the same thing about Lewis Ferguson last season, no action was taken. David Dickinson called it wrong but the ref, as usual, will get off scot free. At the very least Aberdeen should get an apology. The SFA are an inept bunch making in consistently inconsistent decisions weekly. Add don’t start me on this bizarre VAR half baked proposal to be instigated mid season? We need full-time professional referees, with no club allegiances, and experienced professional people to run Scottish football.”
Meanwhile, the SPFL’s proposed new £150m TV deal with Sky remains in limbo with Rangers chief Stewart Robertson revealing his club’s concerns were heightened when they played Malmo last season and discovered the Swedish deal dwarfed what’s on offer in Scotland, albeit for far more live matches.
But Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Once again another stalemate caused by Rangers in a proposed deal.. If Mr Robertson is so interested in Malmo he should take his team and play in Sweden.”
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