REMEMBER how we used to laugh at Europe's diddy nations, forced into European action before the big summer festivals of the Euros or the World Cup had concluded. Now, of course, we are a diddy nation, so our guys, instead of spending the Glasgow Fair at Saltcoats, are heading off to obscure European destinations in search of European qualification.
The qualifying fixtures were announced this morning, and, in all honesty, our European hopefuls can be, well hopeful, of extending their European seasons into our own domestic one.
I would be surprised if KR Rejkavik can disrupt the new Viking/Scottish management team's start at Celtic. Once upon a time drawing an Icelandic team was a chance for Scottish strikers to boost their goals-for tally; no more, this one could well be tight, but, Celtic to win.
I also fancy St Johnstone, against Luzern, Motherwell, against either Icelandic or Welsh opponents and Aberdeern, against the Latvians from Riga, to at least get over their first hurdles. How far they go, thereafter, is a moot point, however.
Of course, now we are down among the lower orders, Scottish football will have to, at long last, address our place int he world and our view of ourselves.
I see Campbell Ogilvie has addressed this, just this week, with his suggestion that the season's boundaries be re-drawn. Of course, this being Scotland, the ranks of the "Aye Beeners" will surely dig-in and offer up copious false reasons why this will never happen.
But, until we start playing football in better weather, and on better conditions, Scotland will never5 climb to the high plains where we want to be, but have only ever kidded ourselves on we were at.
Summer fitba - you know it makes sense.
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