According to the BBC, and the bookies, Gary McAllister and Billy Davies are the early favourites to take over as Scotland manager. Jimmy Calderwood is nowhere to be seen but Kenny Dalglish is also tipped.
Go figure.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Gretna scrape a draw, but they're still pointless
Back to domestic business at the weekend, and both Edinburgh clubs had reasons for regret. Hibs enjoyed a terrific home draw with Dundee Utd, hardly a disgraceful result, but shocking defending had given the visitors a two goal lead before Hibs rallied themselves.
Hearts, meanwhile, failed to take full advantage from the gifts on offer against Gretna. It was a story of maroon midfielders, really... first Michael Stewart got sent off after some shameful play-acting from Danny Grainger. Then Laryea Kingston scored with a nice chip from just outside the box, before scoring at the wrong end to level the scores.
Watching the highlights, though, is depressing. Fir Park was once again empty, even if the official attendance of 1,544 was not the lowest at a Gretna match this season. Alright, so they are a small club (Hearts, the self-styled big club, should surely be taking more than 400 supporters with them to Motherwell though). But just what else is it that Gretna offer?
The truth is that they play some decent football at times, which is a credit to Davie Irons' coaching. But it's rarely enough. Irons characterised their problems as a lack of squad depth, a lack of experience, and a lack of quality. Meanwhile, it transpires that it's Mick Wadsworth, the Director of Football, who holds sway over transfers. This is perhaps a clue to the acrimonious departure of previous manager Rowan Alexander.
Gretna desperately need investment in the squad, yet after spending much more money than their rivals to force his club up the divisions, owner Brooks Mileson seems to have turned the taps off now that they've arrived in the SPL. At this rate, they are going straight back down.
Can anyone explain what the point of all this is?
Hearts, meanwhile, failed to take full advantage from the gifts on offer against Gretna. It was a story of maroon midfielders, really... first Michael Stewart got sent off after some shameful play-acting from Danny Grainger. Then Laryea Kingston scored with a nice chip from just outside the box, before scoring at the wrong end to level the scores.
Watching the highlights, though, is depressing. Fir Park was once again empty, even if the official attendance of 1,544 was not the lowest at a Gretna match this season. Alright, so they are a small club (Hearts, the self-styled big club, should surely be taking more than 400 supporters with them to Motherwell though). But just what else is it that Gretna offer?
The truth is that they play some decent football at times, which is a credit to Davie Irons' coaching. But it's rarely enough. Irons characterised their problems as a lack of squad depth, a lack of experience, and a lack of quality. Meanwhile, it transpires that it's Mick Wadsworth, the Director of Football, who holds sway over transfers. This is perhaps a clue to the acrimonious departure of previous manager Rowan Alexander.
Gretna desperately need investment in the squad, yet after spending much more money than their rivals to force his club up the divisions, owner Brooks Mileson seems to have turned the taps off now that they've arrived in the SPL. At this rate, they are going straight back down.
Can anyone explain what the point of all this is?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
After missing out on Euro 2008, can Scotland make it to the next World Cup?
Football doesn't allow much time to dwell and reflect anymore. Scotland may have only played their last Euro 2008 qualifying game a week ago, but already it's time to forget about the disappointment of that game and look ahead. Club supporters are already immersed in the domestic season again, while today's 2010 World Cup qualifying draw gives a chance to focus on the next challenge.
It's hardly an easy draw, but it could have been worse. Scotland are in the only group with 5 members instead of six, and will face Holland, Norway, Iceland and Macedonia. The route to qualification goes like this - secure the maximum 12 points against the two weakest nations, share the points with Holland, and two wins against Norway should do the job. Easy, eh?!
Of course, what no one yet knows is whether Alec McLeish will still be in charge of the side. The Scottish Football Association want him to stay, not surprising given that he's got Scotland playing their best football for a decade. But the rumours that he's about to jump into the vacancy at Birmingham are getting stronger by the hour.
Is fighting for Premiership survival, in a club with a large "For Sale" sign around its neck, really a more attractive job than the chance to take your nation to its first major tournament for 12 years? Birmingham probably wouldn't be McLeish's first choice, but he was chastened by his experience last year, when he spent 6 months waiting for the phone to ring. McLeish felt that his achievements at Rangers earnt him a crack at a job in the English Premiership, but clubs like Middlesborough and Charlton preferred to look elsewhere.
There's also the small question of money. The SFA will offer improved terms on his current £350k a year contract, but any Birmingham offer will be much more than that. McLeish may feel that this is his only chance to crack the lucrative English managerial marketplace, and if so he will be gone within a week.
Let's face it, it's probably better than leaving half-way through a qualifying campaign, as Walter Smith did. And, impressive though his time in charge has been, this might be as good as it gets for McLeish as Scotland manager. As discussed on this blog in January, McLeish's managerial career has thus far followed a familiar patttern - excellent first year, followed by decline. Maybe it's for the best if he goes now.
Who to replace him? Well, the rank awfulness of the Berti Vogts era means the SFA will not appoint a foreign coach again for a long time. So the shortlist will be exclusively Scottish. This is how it will happen.
Gordon Strachan has already been rejected for the job once and won't put himself forward again. There's as much chance of David Moyes being interested as Alex Ferguson. Billy Davies could be out of a job soon but hasn't done enough to convince yet. Craig Levein and John Collins are both strong candidates, but will probably not want to leave their clubs at this time.
That leaves Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, and Jimmy Calderwood at Aberdeen. Both have been in their jobs for a while, both are experienced, and they both might feel that they have taken their current clubs as far as they can. Calderwood is currently in talks about extending his contract at Aberdeen, but is understood to be reluctant to do so without the promise of more money for his squad. Money that isn't going to be made available. He's looking increasingly frustrated at Pittodrie, and may decide that the Scotland job would be a welcome fresh challenge.
So, there we go... 2 real candidates, both with decent records in the Scottish game but nothing like the record of achievement McLeish could point to. Calderwood looks the choice, though... he has some experience of the UEFA Cup, and has worked in Holland before. That should be enough to sway the decision his way.
It's hardly an easy draw, but it could have been worse. Scotland are in the only group with 5 members instead of six, and will face Holland, Norway, Iceland and Macedonia. The route to qualification goes like this - secure the maximum 12 points against the two weakest nations, share the points with Holland, and two wins against Norway should do the job. Easy, eh?!
Of course, what no one yet knows is whether Alec McLeish will still be in charge of the side. The Scottish Football Association want him to stay, not surprising given that he's got Scotland playing their best football for a decade. But the rumours that he's about to jump into the vacancy at Birmingham are getting stronger by the hour.
Is fighting for Premiership survival, in a club with a large "For Sale" sign around its neck, really a more attractive job than the chance to take your nation to its first major tournament for 12 years? Birmingham probably wouldn't be McLeish's first choice, but he was chastened by his experience last year, when he spent 6 months waiting for the phone to ring. McLeish felt that his achievements at Rangers earnt him a crack at a job in the English Premiership, but clubs like Middlesborough and Charlton preferred to look elsewhere.
There's also the small question of money. The SFA will offer improved terms on his current £350k a year contract, but any Birmingham offer will be much more than that. McLeish may feel that this is his only chance to crack the lucrative English managerial marketplace, and if so he will be gone within a week.
Let's face it, it's probably better than leaving half-way through a qualifying campaign, as Walter Smith did. And, impressive though his time in charge has been, this might be as good as it gets for McLeish as Scotland manager. As discussed on this blog in January, McLeish's managerial career has thus far followed a familiar patttern - excellent first year, followed by decline. Maybe it's for the best if he goes now.
Who to replace him? Well, the rank awfulness of the Berti Vogts era means the SFA will not appoint a foreign coach again for a long time. So the shortlist will be exclusively Scottish. This is how it will happen.
Gordon Strachan has already been rejected for the job once and won't put himself forward again. There's as much chance of David Moyes being interested as Alex Ferguson. Billy Davies could be out of a job soon but hasn't done enough to convince yet. Craig Levein and John Collins are both strong candidates, but will probably not want to leave their clubs at this time.
That leaves Jim Jefferies, the Kilmarnock manager, and Jimmy Calderwood at Aberdeen. Both have been in their jobs for a while, both are experienced, and they both might feel that they have taken their current clubs as far as they can. Calderwood is currently in talks about extending his contract at Aberdeen, but is understood to be reluctant to do so without the promise of more money for his squad. Money that isn't going to be made available. He's looking increasingly frustrated at Pittodrie, and may decide that the Scotland job would be a welcome fresh challenge.
So, there we go... 2 real candidates, both with decent records in the Scottish game but nothing like the record of achievement McLeish could point to. Calderwood looks the choice, though... he has some experience of the UEFA Cup, and has worked in Holland before. That should be enough to sway the decision his way.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Hibs and Hearts share the points after another thrilling Edinburgh derby
The second round of fixtures in the SPL kicked off at the weekend, and again the Edinburgh derby was the match that received the biggest build-up. And again, it wasn't on Saturday, this time moved to a Sunday lunchtime slot, with the television cameras in attendance. Setanta have certainly demonstrated their faith in this fixture to draw a bigger audience to the "product".
It turned out to be a neatly symmetrical afternoon, Hibs' dominance in the first half being rewarded with a goal, Hearts' early reply in the 2nd demonstrating their increasing presence in the game. When all sides of such a tempestuous fixture say that a draw was just about fair, then you can be fairly sure that the result was the right one. Hibs were prettier and more cohesive; Hearts were strong and frequently dangerous. The two Edinburgh teams look evenly matched at this point in time.
A shame for Jambo supporters, then, that prior to this game they had handed a 7 point lead to their biggest rivals in the race for 3rd place, after their baffling and inconsistent approach in the first quarter of the season left the maroon team in the wrong half of the table. It's an even bigger shame that neither club is capable of putting together a real title challenge, and will again leave the Old Firm to battle it out amongst themselves for the SPL, as so often in the past.
At least Hibs fans have the comfort of knowing why. The last time the club gambled on success, by giving then manager Alec McLeish more money than it could afford, it forced the club to the brink of selling its ground and relocating to the Edinburgh outskirts to pay the debts. Instead, they have cut expenditure and traded their way out of trouble - a sound long term decision, but one that precludes any romantic dreams of challenging the big two Glasgow clubs.
With Hearts, of course, it's a more complex story. They have spent serious money - far beyond any other club except the Old Firm - but have just one 2nd place finish, and one Scottish Cup victory, to show for it. Now, as they approach the third anniversary of Vladimir Romanov's arrival, they seem no better off than when he arrived. It is inconceivable they can finish any higher than 3rd this season, yet surely they are not accumulating unheard of debts for this? Meanwhile, there are still no confirmed plans for redeveloping their ground. Something, sometime, is going to have to give.
Of course, most of Scotland predicted trouble... Hearts are not the only club in recent times to make bombastic claims about challenging the Old Firm, only to sink back again without achieving their stated aim. Dundee and Motherwell come to mind. There are signs of discontent in Gorgie, with many Hearts fans now openly calling for Romanov to end his involvement with the club, but - as yet - no concerted campaigning. For all the excitement on the pitch, the real story in Edinburgh football is yet to unfold.
It turned out to be a neatly symmetrical afternoon, Hibs' dominance in the first half being rewarded with a goal, Hearts' early reply in the 2nd demonstrating their increasing presence in the game. When all sides of such a tempestuous fixture say that a draw was just about fair, then you can be fairly sure that the result was the right one. Hibs were prettier and more cohesive; Hearts were strong and frequently dangerous. The two Edinburgh teams look evenly matched at this point in time.
A shame for Jambo supporters, then, that prior to this game they had handed a 7 point lead to their biggest rivals in the race for 3rd place, after their baffling and inconsistent approach in the first quarter of the season left the maroon team in the wrong half of the table. It's an even bigger shame that neither club is capable of putting together a real title challenge, and will again leave the Old Firm to battle it out amongst themselves for the SPL, as so often in the past.
At least Hibs fans have the comfort of knowing why. The last time the club gambled on success, by giving then manager Alec McLeish more money than it could afford, it forced the club to the brink of selling its ground and relocating to the Edinburgh outskirts to pay the debts. Instead, they have cut expenditure and traded their way out of trouble - a sound long term decision, but one that precludes any romantic dreams of challenging the big two Glasgow clubs.
With Hearts, of course, it's a more complex story. They have spent serious money - far beyond any other club except the Old Firm - but have just one 2nd place finish, and one Scottish Cup victory, to show for it. Now, as they approach the third anniversary of Vladimir Romanov's arrival, they seem no better off than when he arrived. It is inconceivable they can finish any higher than 3rd this season, yet surely they are not accumulating unheard of debts for this? Meanwhile, there are still no confirmed plans for redeveloping their ground. Something, sometime, is going to have to give.
Of course, most of Scotland predicted trouble... Hearts are not the only club in recent times to make bombastic claims about challenging the Old Firm, only to sink back again without achieving their stated aim. Dundee and Motherwell come to mind. There are signs of discontent in Gorgie, with many Hearts fans now openly calling for Romanov to end his involvement with the club, but - as yet - no concerted campaigning. For all the excitement on the pitch, the real story in Edinburgh football is yet to unfold.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Henry draws a blank in Glasgow. Again.
Barcelona were back in Scotland last night. Now, no one can deny that the club is a glamorous, global sporting brand, packed with star players yada yada, but these visits are becoming more and more frequent. They spent part of the summer in St Andrews, after all, enjoying the benevolent climate and golf, before friendlies against Dundee Utd and Hearts, and claim they enjoyed themselves so much they'd like to do the trip again sometime soon. Much more of this and we'll all start to get a little bored with them.
Of course, Thierry Henry was in Scotland last Autumn, too, when France got beaten 1-0 by Scotland at Hampden. And on Tuesday night, as he stepped out onto the Ibrox turf, you can't help but wonder if he was concerned he was about to have another disappointing night in Glasgow. There were Lilian Thuram and Eric Abidal alongside him, as they were that night. He will have recognised Lee McCulloch, David Weir and Barry Ferguson in blue shirts (although of a lighter hue this time), and seen the familiar figure of Walter Smith in the home dug-out. You'd like to think he briefed his team mates on what they could expect. But if he did, it didn't work.
True to form, Smith set his team out to contain and frustrate, concentrate on not conceding and try to nick a goal if possible. Just like Scotland, Rangers defended very deep, living dangerously at times as they repelled attack after attack. Again, just like Scotland, they worked their socks off, and finished with a clean sheet. If anything, Henry had fewer chances than he did against Scotland. Substituted with 10 minutes to go, he had had another frustrating night.
Rangers were unable to score themselves, but they will be justifiably happy with their efforts. Barcelona had the bulk of the possession and the most chances, but failed to convert any of them. With 7 points from their first 3 games, Rangers are looking well placed to get through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the second time in three years. One more win could well be enough.
This is not just important in footballing terms, it's vital for the club's finances too. Rangers are heavily in debt and, by Smith's own admission, spent over budget this summer as they tried to close the gap with Celtic. That gamble has already paid off, with the income from getting to the group stages already helping to pay off the close season investment in McCulloch, Carlos Cuellar and others.
After two bleak, trophy-less years, Rangers look like they are on the road to recovery.
Of course, Thierry Henry was in Scotland last Autumn, too, when France got beaten 1-0 by Scotland at Hampden. And on Tuesday night, as he stepped out onto the Ibrox turf, you can't help but wonder if he was concerned he was about to have another disappointing night in Glasgow. There were Lilian Thuram and Eric Abidal alongside him, as they were that night. He will have recognised Lee McCulloch, David Weir and Barry Ferguson in blue shirts (although of a lighter hue this time), and seen the familiar figure of Walter Smith in the home dug-out. You'd like to think he briefed his team mates on what they could expect. But if he did, it didn't work.
True to form, Smith set his team out to contain and frustrate, concentrate on not conceding and try to nick a goal if possible. Just like Scotland, Rangers defended very deep, living dangerously at times as they repelled attack after attack. Again, just like Scotland, they worked their socks off, and finished with a clean sheet. If anything, Henry had fewer chances than he did against Scotland. Substituted with 10 minutes to go, he had had another frustrating night.
Rangers were unable to score themselves, but they will be justifiably happy with their efforts. Barcelona had the bulk of the possession and the most chances, but failed to convert any of them. With 7 points from their first 3 games, Rangers are looking well placed to get through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the second time in three years. One more win could well be enough.
This is not just important in footballing terms, it's vital for the club's finances too. Rangers are heavily in debt and, by Smith's own admission, spent over budget this summer as they tried to close the gap with Celtic. That gamble has already paid off, with the income from getting to the group stages already helping to pay off the close season investment in McCulloch, Carlos Cuellar and others.
After two bleak, trophy-less years, Rangers look like they are on the road to recovery.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Old Firm tied at the top of the SPL as Rangers beat Celtic again
Rangers won the first Old Firm clash of the season on Saturday, an impressive 3-0 win that puts the Old Firm level on points again at the top of the SPL. After two seasons of not mounting a decent challenge for the title, this season's battle already looks like it could go down to the wire.
Gordon Strachan admitted that Rangers deserved to win, and he will be used to it by now - since Walter Smith returned to Ibrox, they've won all three Old Firm clashes. To be fair, Celtic weren't helped by a nasty head injury to captain Stephen McManus, especially as Gary Caldwell is such an inferior defender. With the games now coming thick and fast, Celtic still need to learn how to stop conceding cheap goals or their season could unravel.
Elsewhere, Hibs' unbeaten start to the season was ended by impressive Motherwell, but John Collins praised his players for their performance: with Hibs only a point off the leaders, he claimed there is a "huge amount to feel positive about". Mark McGhee was naturally pleased with the win, but was also full of praise for Collins' passing football philosophy. These two teams are arguably the ones a neutral would choose to watch this season.
Hearts were undone by Dundee Utd, and Aberdeen beat ICT. Kilmarnock and Falkirk shared the points, while St Mirren beat Gretna to move away from the foot of the table.
Gordon Strachan admitted that Rangers deserved to win, and he will be used to it by now - since Walter Smith returned to Ibrox, they've won all three Old Firm clashes. To be fair, Celtic weren't helped by a nasty head injury to captain Stephen McManus, especially as Gary Caldwell is such an inferior defender. With the games now coming thick and fast, Celtic still need to learn how to stop conceding cheap goals or their season could unravel.
Elsewhere, Hibs' unbeaten start to the season was ended by impressive Motherwell, but John Collins praised his players for their performance: with Hibs only a point off the leaders, he claimed there is a "huge amount to feel positive about". Mark McGhee was naturally pleased with the win, but was also full of praise for Collins' passing football philosophy. These two teams are arguably the ones a neutral would choose to watch this season.
Hearts were undone by Dundee Utd, and Aberdeen beat ICT. Kilmarnock and Falkirk shared the points, while St Mirren beat Gretna to move away from the foot of the table.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
After a heroic campaign, it's now do or die for Scotland against Italy
After all that has gone before, including a double over France and an impressive trashing of Ukraine on Saturday, Scotland suffered their third defeat of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 loss away to Georgia.
Given the hightened expectations, this has somewhat predictably led to a mood of recrimination and bitter disappointment, with the Scotsman, for example, describing it as the "collapse" of the heroic run to next summer's competition. The Beeb's "expert analysts" (fortunately Alan Hansen managed to watch the game for once, as it didn't clash with England) all felt it was a poor performance. But Scotland, unlike England, still have their fate in their own hands. A victory over Italy at Hampden next month, irrespective of other results, and we will be back at the international top table after a decade of failure. If France lose against Ukraine (unlikely, but not impossible) then a point will do.
It wasn't an impressive display, that's for sure. But then, it wasn't an easy tie either, despite Georgia's own injury problems. With both first choice full-backs out, no Paul Hartley, Scott Brown or Lee McCulloch from midfield, and a half-fit Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher, it was a patched-up Scotland team, and this second game in 4 days was a step too far. The SFA's decision to debut a third choice maroon strip for this game may have had a small psychological effect, too, especially as Scotland could have played in the traditional dark blue jersey that reminds us all of fighting the English and "being a nation again".
It is absolutely critical that Scotland can field its best possible team in a month's time. And this is where the clubs can play their part - especially the Old Firm, who between them supply so many players to the national squad these days. Pray that there is no "club v country" posturing over the hamstrings of Scott Brown and Alan Hutton, and that Ferguson and Fletcher get the opportunity to get themselves match fit.
Celtic and Rangers may protest that they should only look after their best interests, and not be obliged to do Scotland any favours. Yet qualification for Euro 2008 would bring such benefits in terms of heightened prestige and profile for the Scottish game that it would have beneficial consequences for the Old Firm as well. Scottish football went through a long lean period, and next summer's competition could still herald our renewed strength. If the two Glasgow clubs can't recognise that, they are even more myopic than many people suppose.
Given the hightened expectations, this has somewhat predictably led to a mood of recrimination and bitter disappointment, with the Scotsman, for example, describing it as the "collapse" of the heroic run to next summer's competition. The Beeb's "expert analysts" (fortunately Alan Hansen managed to watch the game for once, as it didn't clash with England) all felt it was a poor performance. But Scotland, unlike England, still have their fate in their own hands. A victory over Italy at Hampden next month, irrespective of other results, and we will be back at the international top table after a decade of failure. If France lose against Ukraine (unlikely, but not impossible) then a point will do.
It wasn't an impressive display, that's for sure. But then, it wasn't an easy tie either, despite Georgia's own injury problems. With both first choice full-backs out, no Paul Hartley, Scott Brown or Lee McCulloch from midfield, and a half-fit Barry Ferguson and Darren Fletcher, it was a patched-up Scotland team, and this second game in 4 days was a step too far. The SFA's decision to debut a third choice maroon strip for this game may have had a small psychological effect, too, especially as Scotland could have played in the traditional dark blue jersey that reminds us all of fighting the English and "being a nation again".
It is absolutely critical that Scotland can field its best possible team in a month's time. And this is where the clubs can play their part - especially the Old Firm, who between them supply so many players to the national squad these days. Pray that there is no "club v country" posturing over the hamstrings of Scott Brown and Alan Hutton, and that Ferguson and Fletcher get the opportunity to get themselves match fit.
Celtic and Rangers may protest that they should only look after their best interests, and not be obliged to do Scotland any favours. Yet qualification for Euro 2008 would bring such benefits in terms of heightened prestige and profile for the Scottish game that it would have beneficial consequences for the Old Firm as well. Scottish football went through a long lean period, and next summer's competition could still herald our renewed strength. If the two Glasgow clubs can't recognise that, they are even more myopic than many people suppose.
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