SINCE several hectares of Scandinavian forest will bite the dust to fuel the newsprint requirements of the Scottish press between now and then, I shall deny myself the self-indulgence of commenting on a certain, as yet unplayed, League Cup semi-final tie.
Suffice to say, given the poorish quality of both teams, the media hype will probably be in reverse co-relation to the quality of the game, when it is played.
Instead, I thought I would allow my feeble mind to meander over one or two other matters which I have let drift of late.
As I have written afore on here, Sporting Halls of Fame are a North American affectation, designed to cover-up that continent's lack of history. I have nothing against them, they are, however, as in so much to do with sports history, blighted by the fact, admission is based on the opinions and bias of the induction panel.
At least, in the case of most of the trans-Atlantic HoF nominations, no individual can be considered for admission for at least five years after his or her retirement. This certainly allows some time for due consideration and reflection.
This rule doesn't apply in Scotland, I wish it die. For instance, Sir Alex Ferguson was admitted to the Scottish Football Hall of Fame while still active in management - the criteria under which he was considered. I would not be daft enough, given his record, to suggest he was admitted too-soon, but, under North American rules, he could not have been considered for his inevitable induction until 2018.
But, I digress. I welcome the induction of McCrae's Batallion - a good way to commemorate the Centenary of the Great War, we need say no more.
However, this induction allows me to re-mount a particular hobby horse of mine and suggest that the induction committee SHOULD, at the earliest opportunity, induct those members of the 1928 Scotland team v England (the Wembley Wizards), the Lisbon Lions, the 1967 Wembley Winners, the Barcelona Bears and the Gotherburg Giants who are not already in the HoF.
Of course, Alan Morton, Hughie Gallacher, Billy McNeill and Jimmy Johnstone, Jim Baxter and Denis Law, Sandy Jardine and John Greig, and Alex McLeish and Willie Miller deserve to be there as individuals - but, they won as members of a team and it is only fitting, if we celebrate these greatest of Scottish teams, that we induct everyone who played.
Final word on the 2014 inductees - Charlie Nicholas?????
I FELT ever so sorry for the Scottish Women's team and officials, that they have failed to make it through the play-offs and onto next year's Women's World Cup in Canada.
Not being so reimentally tied to the "Aye Beenism" which so-blights Men's football in Scotland, those charged with running the women's side of the game have come a tremendously long way in a very short time. They have achieved their remarkable progress in the face of some antedeluvian male prejudice and it is such a shame they couldn't carry it through, this time.
However, I still have a sneaking feeling the Scottish Women will grace the finals of a big tournament before the Men do. If this happens, will it be the end of civilisation as we know it?
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