Is Scottish football getting value for money with the new Sky TV deal?
ANDY NEWPORT : No. It’s still well short of the deals countries of comparable sizes to Scotland attract and fails to make the most of the streaming potential our clubs hold. Once again we’re being short changed.
CRAIG SWAN : Probably not when you think of what other countries get. But the fact is you are only worth what someone is prepared to pay. Surely we’d hunt out better if it was out there, no?
GORDON PARKS : No. Is it ever? Neil Doncaster will hail it as a triumph but the reality is always something of a hand-out for the poor relation of other nations who know how to bring the really big bucks in.
MICHAEL GANNON : It doesn’t matter if it’s good value or not, it’s the only offer on the table and unless there is competition, it’ll drive down the cost. It’s okay saying Scottish football is underselling itself, well then go out and sell it. The clubs are the product and if they are not happy then they should do something about it.
If you were Rangers, would you have asked for next Saturday's game against Hibs to be postponed ahead of the Eindhoven second leg?
ANDY NEWPORT : Gio van Bronckhorst ’s side still haven’t quite produced the slick displays that took them to Seville last term so I’d be tempted to stick with the weekend fixture in the hope they can iron out those last few creases.
CRAIG SWAN : If they felt it was going to be of significant benefit, they surely would have done. The manager must feel games will help build rhythm.
GORDON PARKS : Yes. Why not? All and every advantage should be taken to give all of our clubs the best chance of achieving in Europe.
MICHAEL GANNON : No. It’s not like it’s the end of the season when it’s titles and trophies up for grabs and players are shattered. Rangers will want to build some momentum, with new players getting more game time. The game on the Saturday is a good thing.
Is Dundee United's Alkmaar debacle Scotland's worst-ever Euro set-back? If not, what is?
ANDY NEWPORT : The scoreline means it’s up there alongside Celtic and Hibs’ own seven-goal disasters but the Hoops being pumped by Artmedia Bratislava, Rangers losing to Progres Neiderkorn and Kilmarnock ‘s humiliating exit to Connah’s Quay Nomads fostered just as much shame upon the nation.
CRAIG SWAN : Recency bias is always dangerous in these things because there have been some real shockers down the years. Let’s just say it’s right up there. Or down there.
GORDON PARKS : It’s always going to take some doing to be worse than Rangers going down to Progres or Celtic’s 5-0 hammering from Artmedia Bratislava but the manner of United’s defeat sunk the bar to a new depth.
MICHAEL GANNON : United's is just the latest entry in the Scottish Football Euro Hall of Shame. It’s a crowded exhibition with names like Motherwell v Sligo Rovers, Connah Quay Nomads against Killie, Malmo taking seven off Hibs, Rangers going out to Progres, Celtic and Artmedia Bratislava. All of our clubs have a shocker in the locker.
What is success for Steven Hammell in his first season at Motherwell?
ANDY NEWPORT : Mid-table. Well have had their own mortifying Euro exit and have been patchy since the turn of the year. Survival should be the priority while Hammell finds his feet in the dugout.
CRAIG SWAN : Keeping Motherwell in the top flight is the No.1 objective. It doesn’t seem a very high aim, but it is the first and main task.
GORDON PARKS : Top six would be an achievement for a squad which looks well short of being able to do that at the moment but Hammell is a positive thinker and has what it takes to galvanise a team which has lost its way.
MICHAEL GANNON : A top six finish is always good going at Motherwell, along with the odd Hampden experience. Hammell has spent 20 years punching above his weight at Fir Park and knows what it takes.
READ NEXT
