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Scotland’s Steve Clarke debate

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It is undeniable that Steve Clarke has enjoyed great success since he was appointed Scotland manager back in 2019.   Getting to Euro 2020 and leading his side to their best World Cup qualifying campaign since 1998 has to be commended.   However, poor results in some big matches and a lack of tactical adaptability have led many to question Steve Clarke’s credentials as Scotland manager.  These concerns gathered real pace after a deflating World Cup play off loss to Ukraine but it is fair to say the warning signs have been there for a while.  Despite qualifying for Euro 2020, Scotland’s performance at last summer’s tournament was somewhat disappointing. Granted, the goalless draw with England at Wembley was well deserved and nothing could be done about the quality of the Croatia side that won 3-1 at Hampden but the 2-0 home defeat to the Czech Republic in the opening game was unsettling.  Playing in front of their own supporters in their first major tournament in 22 years, you would fanc
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Armenia v Scotland Match Report

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Steve Clarke’s Scotland travelled to Yerevan on Tuesday to take on Armenia in a high-pressure match.   The strain that was on the national team was a result of the poor results that were attained in recent times.  Saturday’s humiliating defeat to Ireland certainly raised concerns among the Tartan Army had the previous loss to Ukraine and underwhelming Euro 2020 campaign not already done so.  In spite of the negativity surrounding Scotland, the players managed to rally and pick up a confidence boosting victory despite an early setback.  Team News  From the team that lost to Ireland, Steve Clarke made 4 changes.  The injured Scott McKenna, Andy Robertson and John Souttar did not travel to Armenia and were replaced by Greg Taylor, Billy Gilmour and Nathan Patterson as Scott McTominay dropped back into defence. Stuart Armstrong also came in for his ex Celtic teammate Ryan Christie in midfield.  For Armenia, there were 5 alterations from the side that was comfortably beaten by Ukraine. 2 of
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The Scotland captaincy debate

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Scotland’s World Cup dream came to an abrupt end on Wednesday evening against Ukraine.   Quite frankly, the visitors were better than the Scots in most departments and deserved winners in the tie.  As a result of the loss and his exploits in Liverpool on Sunday, question marks have been raised over Andy Robertson’s status as captain of Scotland.  His club Liverpool lost out on the Premier League title and were defeated in the Champions League final within the space of a week.  However, the Reds still held an open top bus parade the day following their loss in Paris to celebrate their previous triumphs in the Carabao and FA Cups. The squad and fans were in party mode as was Andy Robertson.  The left back was seen having a few beers, singing and dancing on top of the bus along with requesting DJ Calvin Harris to play the popular song now synonymous with Liverpool, ‘One Kiss’.  It was not the best impression the Scotland captain could give of himself just three days before he’d play in on
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What’s next for Scotland after World Cup heartbreak

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Failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar came as a huge disappointment for Scotland. Steve Clarke’s side were tremendous in their qualifying group yet fell to Ukraine in the play off semi final.   In fairness, the Scots probably didn’t deserve to win the match itself as their wait for an appearance at a World Cup finals was prolonged.   Now that the dust has settled, I’ll be examining what’s next for the national team in the coming weeks and months after a gut wrenching ninety minutes on Wednesday.  After Scotland played out all of their games in World Cup qualification Group F, they were drawn into UEFA Nations League Group B1 along with the Republic of Ireland, Armenia and rather ironically, Ukraine.  The Nations League was brought in by European football’s governing body to bring a competitive edge to international football when traditional qualifiers are not taking place. The competition has aided Scotland in the past - particularly in 2018 as a side managed by Alex McLei
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Previously linked Celts: Where are they now?

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Every transfer window, throughout the world of football, numerous players are linked to a whole host of clubs.   It is common for moves which are reported in the newspapers to not come to fruition and fans to closely follow the players their clubs were linked with career’s paths.  That is certainly the case at Celtic and today, we’ll be taking a close look at three players who were reportedly of interest to the Parkhead club yet didn’t end up making the move to Glasgow.  Ivan Toney One of the biggest ‘ones that got away’ for the Hoops is now Brentford man Ivan Toney.  Despite the congenial partnership Leigh Griffiths and Odsonne Edouard struck up prior to the Covid outbreak and Patryk Klimala’s presence, Neil Lennon was still in search of a striker in the 2020 summer transfer window to bolster his squad.  Numerous names were linked but the one Celtic fans seemed captivated by the most was Ivan Toney’s. He was just off the back of a storming season in English League One with Peterboroug
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Roma v Feyenoord: Europa Conference League final match report

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In the sizzling heat of Tirana, Roma would take on Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League final.   Going into the match, both sides were on relatively inconsistent form, winning, drawing and losing in each of their last three.  However, after Roma’s impressive 3-0 win away to Torino and Feyenoord’s disappointing home defeat to FC Twente at the weekend, attention for both clubs was solely on this evening’s match and becoming the winners of the premier edition Europa Conference League.  For the Italians, Jose Mourinho would make five changes from the victory in Turin with Chris Smalling replacing Marash Kumbulla at the heart of defence, Rick Karsdorp coming in for Leonardo Spinazzola to play against his boyhood club, Bryan Cristante taking Jordan Veretout’s place in the engine room, eventual goal hero Nicolo Zaniolo replacing Eldor Shomurodov and the returning Henrikh Mkhitaryan coming in for Porto loanee Sergio Oliveira.  The legendary Portuguese manager has taken this comp
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A year on: SPFL Talents to Watch

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Almost a year ago now, in one of my first ever posts on this blog, I earmarked twelve young players you should watch in the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season.   Some have excelled and broke through at their respective clubs whilst others have already moved on to pastures new and today, I’ll be reviewing how each of my SPFL Talents to Watch in 2021/22 got on throughout the campaign.  Aberdeen - Jack MacKenzie  Two young Aberdeen full backs brokethrough at Pittodrie the 2021/22 season in Jack MacKenzie and Calvin Ramsay. Granted, the latter went on to enjoy the better season out of the pair, winning the Scottish Football Writer’s Association Young Player of the Year award but nonetheless, Jack MacKenzie still experienced a respectable campaign.  It was MacKenzie’s first full season playing for the Aberdeen first team after he made a few appearances for the Dons at the tail end of the last campaign.  In the most recent season, MacKenzie was able to rack up a total of 27 appearances acro
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