New Beginnings And The Same Old Same Old

TIME WILL TELL, and hopefully, results for the Scotland team will qualify new Honcho Sebastian Pocognoli for a place in those pub quiz “Name ten famous Belgians” lists.

The new Head Coach has maintained a modicum of progression, by retaining 14 members of the 2026 World Cup squad, from which there were always going to be changes, given the injuries to the likes of Scott McTominay and Lawrence Shankland and the way some others have drifted away from regular club games under new management.

Pocognoli has named seven uncapped players in his first squad, which is:

Goalkeepers

Scott Bain Falkirk
Angus Gunn San Jose Earthquakes
Liam Kelly Rangers
Jon McCracken* Bradford City

Defenders

Luis Binks Brondby
Josh Doig Sassuolo
Colby Donovan Celtic
Luke Graham Stoke City
Jack Hendry Al Ettifaq
Aaron Hickey Brentford
Scott McKenna Dinamo Zagreb
Nathan Patterson* Torino
Andy Robertson Tottenham Hotspur
Kieran Tierney Celtic
Stephen Welsh Swansea City

Midfielders

Ryan Christie AFC Bournemouth
Lewis Ferguson Bologna
Billy Gilmour* Napoli
Lennon Miller Udinese
Kenny McLean Norwich City
John McGinn Aston Villa
Josh McPake Heart of Midlothian

Forwards

Kieron Bowie Sassuolo
Findlay Curtis Rangers
Ben Gannon-Doak AFC Bournemouth
Oli McBurnie Hull City
Robbie Ure Sevilla
James Wilson Heart of Midlothian

Whenever custody of the poisoned chalice that is the Scotland job changes hands, the relevant quote from Burns tends to be: “And forward tho' I canny see, I guess and fear”. Stevie Clarke will be a hard act to follow, but I wish the Belgian all the luck in the world, he's going to need it.

NOW I AM off the tools on a regular basis, I amuse myself by becoming a complaining old fart. “They'd never have got away with that when I was a boy” is something I say regularly as I peruse the efforts of today's working journalists.

That was certainly my thinking as I reviewed the SFA website this week and how they covered the draw for the First Round Proper of The Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup. The big brains along Hampden's Sixth Floor Corridor of Numpties pulled out all the stops, getting Raith Rovers' Paul Hanlon and Gordon Duncan (or should that perhaps be Gordon Who?) to make the draw.

The bulk of the website piece was all about Hanlon, who with the best will in the world, while he did make one full international appearance for Scotland, has never been more than a competent journeyman.

The news aspect of the story was the actual draw, they ought to have focussed on that rather than a puff piece on Paul. Any way, the draw is:

Scottish Gas Men's Scottish Cup First Round Draw

Beith Juniors v Huntly
Bo’ness United v Irvine Meadow XI
Bonnyton Thistle v East Stirlingshire
Brechin City v Buckie Thistle
Caledonian Braves v Fraserburgh
Civil Service Strollers v Formartine United
Clachnacuddin v Bonnyrigg Rose
Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot
Cowdenbeath v Berwick Rangers
Deveronvale v Troon
Dunipace v Preston Athletic
Forres Mechanics v University of Stirling
Gala Fairydean Rovers v Largs Thistle
Haddington Athletic v Cumbernauld Colts
Hill of Beath Hawthorn v Glasgow University
Keith v Stonehaven
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Banks O’Dee
Linlithgow Rose v Clydebank
Lochee United v Inverurie Loco Works
Musselburgh Athletic v Lossiemouth
Nairn County v Gretna 2008
Newton Stewart v Johnstone Burgh
Penicuik Athletic v Kilwinning Rangers
Pollok v Albion Rovers
Renfrew v Broxburn Athletic
Rothes v Brora Rangers
Strathspey Thistle v Dalbeattie Star
Tayport v Wick Academy
Threave Rovers v Invergordon
Tranent v Turriff United

The obvious plum tie is the clash at Townhead Park of old foes Cumnock and Auchinleck Talbot, but there are one or two long distance meetings – Nairn County v Gretna 2008, Threave Rovers v Invergordon and Strathspey Thistle v Dalbeattie Star, to name but three. Bo'ness United and Irvine Meadow may no longer be the Junior Giants they once were, but there is enough history in that one to get excited.

Bonnyton Thistle v East Stirlingshire perhaps better than any other tie sums up the difference the establishment of the pyramid in Scottish football has made. You could never have seen that tie a decade ago. None of the 60 clubs involved is likely to still be in the running when the competition reaches its climax next year, but, for the moment, they can dream, and that's what fitba is all about.

ONE OF the regular readers of this pish, like me a distinguished alumnus of the finest Ayrshire Academy, contacted me on Sunday, following Rangers' win over the other lot, to enquire if I would be giving my opinion on the game. Like the vast majority of our Academicals, he is of a Rangers' persuasion – I am aware of a couple who sport green-tinged spectacles, but, the rest of us regard them with kindly scorn – accidents happen in even the best-ordered families.

I shall say only in the matter of Sunday's Ibrox game, perhaps Del Boy will be a millionaire, this time next year; however, I doubt that Celtic could be that bad again, moreover, should Rangrers emerge from this weekend's Celtic Park collision with even a point, then I could concede that perhaps the tide was turning.

In the aftermath, I must say, I have been thinking of a meme, popular on social media platforms such as Facebook – of Battery Sergeant Major Williams of It Aint Half Hot Mum, insisting: “Never have I seen such a blatant exhibition of poofery” as he reviewed the concert party's latest show.

The equivalent, in 2026, might be someone reviewing the follow-up to Sunday, and in particular the reaction of The Celtic Family to defeat: Never have I seen such a blatant display of Whitabootery.

For my part, I am more concerned with events at Rugby Park, where, to say Kilmarnock is struggling is to be guilty of under-statement. I was not at all surprised that Killie should lost a penalty shoot-out, this is a club which, after all, once went almost a decade without being awarded a penalty in open play – back in my younger days. I was, however, disgusted with the ineptitude shown by the penalty-takers against Aberdeen.

However, as a Rugby Parker since the 1950s, I was even-more disgusted by their inability to make the most of a one-man advantage for half an hour of normal time, plus the same of extra time – at home!!!

I have a lot of time for Neil McCann as a coach, I've kent wee Billy Dodds since he was at school, once kicking his erse after he announced that my oldest daughter had “an awfy nice bum” and here again, I hold him in high regard as a Coach. However, questions have to be asked over the managerial team's eye for a player – there are guys in that Killie team who would struggle to get a regular game in a good Ayrshire junior team.

This could be a long, cold and anxious winter for we Rugby Parkers.

 

Let's All Laugh At The Old Firm

THE GERMANS have schadenfreude – a feeling we Scots have admitedly bought into, but, we also have our own put down of those getting above themselves: “Him – Ah kent his faither.” We get a lot of fun out of seeing those who would put themselves above us, standing there with egg on their faces.

Thus, today is a good day for those of us who follow Scotland's “Diddy Teams” - those clubs who are not Rangers and Celtic. After Celtic's pratt-fall in Austria on Tuesday, social media was hit by a tsunami of celebratory posts from followers of the other one of The Bigot Brothers, absolutely relishing the pain, the wailing and gnashing of teeth among The Celtic Family.

I warned several gloating Huns down here in God's Orange County: “Don't get carried away, are you sure your bunch can defend a one-goal, first-leg lead?” They were all utterly convinced, Rangers' visit to Czechia was a mere formality; well, they ken noo, it wisnae.

Some of the fall-out has been spectacular. The calls for Derek McInnes' head have already started. Aye, that's the easy way out – sack the Manager, it's a lot easier than getting rid of the many members of the squad who have shown themselves to not be Rangers' class.

As a wee side issue here; I had to laugh at one post on Facebook, which laid the blame for Thursday night's massive Big Reddy in the hands of Sir David Murray. David Murray sold the club in May 2011, 15 years and ten managers ago. He would probably admit, he got one or two things wrong during his spell as owner, but, to blame him for Thursday night's debacle is pushing it a good bit.

I have long argued, the trouble with Rangers ar the moment is – they have a squad which is top-heavy with expensively-acquired non-Scots; badge-kissing mercenaries who arrive without a clue what they are getting into. They are joining a club where victory is not expected – it is DEMANDED.

We are told: “professional sport is all about winning”. That simple explanation does not quite cover what is demanded of Rangers' players and I've got the feeling, too-many of the current squad are simply not winners.

The strange thing is, Thursday night's reverse might be the break McInnes required as he builds the team he wants. Free from the unreasonable European expectations of the many glory hunters in the fan base, he can concentrte on domestic football and be better prepared for another tilt at Europe next season. Having seen what he did at other clubs, I believe McInnes has it in him to be a winning Rangers' manager, if he is allowed to clear-out the many Not Rangers Class players in his squad.

Sure, at lesser clubs, they could maybe do a job, but, it is already clear, some of them lack the mental strength to cope with the pressure to win which is thrust upon Rangers' players. I have long argued, Rangers' main problem is – they lack a spine of Rangers Men, Fans on the Park – Scotsmen who have been brought-up to know what playing for the club involves.

I said, back in 2012, when the institution was sent down to the lowest senior level in Scotland, what the then management ought to have done was: go with a squad of mainly young Scots, with one or two more-experienced players to add steel. Allow those kids to get used to winning as they progressed back up through the leagues, and by the time they got back to the domestic top flight, they would know what it meant to play for Rangers and would be ready.

Mind you, the argument against bringing-in more Scots includes the fact, it was a couple of Scots – Findlay Curtis and James Penrice who missed the crucial penalties on Thursday night.

What about Celtic then. Well, I wasn't surprised that they were turned over in Austria, LASK gave them a lot of problems at Celtic Park in the first leg, but had absolutely no luck in the Celtic red zone. I felt then, if they got one goal in the home leg, they could easily get four and while that early Celtic strike did cause me to have doubts, once LASK got their second goal, I knew they would win it.

The Celtic squad is not as poor as the one across the city, but, they lack a genuine spine and the lack of playing numbers from The Celtic Family is hurting them. Right now, in domestic Scottish Football, the Old Firm duo's best players are those Scottish referees who continue to make the honest mistakes which benefit the big two.

I doubt that we will ever see a truly level playing field in Scotland, but, right now, the Big Two are handicapping themselves with too-many inferior foreign imports, so really, a well-organised Diddy Team should be capable of upsetting them, then, all we would need is half-decent referees and who knows what might happen.

Just a final wee thought – how far could this Celtic team go in the Europa League?

Just Like Old Times

BACK IN THE 1960s, in the years BS (Before Stein) – Rangers ruled the roost. But, it wasn't constant success. Back then, the guy who made the difference was Jim Baxter. I don't think any Scottish player has ever dominated the game up here the way the Slim One did.

However, I recall one season which began badly for Baxter. He was simply off form, to the extent, when the first Scotland team of the season was named, he was dropped. Baxter's lack of form also impacted on Rangers, to the extent, they too were struggling.

Any way, off the Scotland team went, to struggle in either Belfast or Cardiff, leaving Baxter to strut his stuff at Ibrox. Now, at the time, Baxter had formed a double act around the watering holes frequented by Glasgow's Beautiful People, with Paddy Crerand. This relationship did not go down too well with the grandfathers of today's Union Bears.

Saturday at Ibrox and an out of sorts Baxter is getting pelters from the terraces. Then, with Rangers struggling, everything changed: Eric Caldow took a throw-in to Baxter, who let the ball run across his body, before volleying a 60 yard crossfield pass to Willie Henderson, who hit the bye-line and crossed for Ralph Brand to knock-in the opening goal at the near post.

Suddenly, everything was sunshine again. Rangers won the game and went on to do a league and cup double – all was well with the world.

OK, there isn't a single member of the current Rangers squad fit to (to borrow that famous Guardian quote about George Best) “lace Baxter's drinks” but, a couple of wins, followed by a run of victories, and all those disgruntled Bears, calling for Derek McInnes' head, will become as silent as Trappist monks.

'Twas ever thus in the fevered world of the Old Firm. There is nothing wrong with this Rangers squad that dumping most of them and fielding fans on the park could not cure. The majority of this current Rangers squad are simply Not Rangers Class, it is time Derek McInnes recognised that fact and acted to sort it. Indeed, I got a thumbs up from a Buffs fan when, on Facebook on Sunday, I suggested Emmanuel Fernandez wasn't even Kilwinning Rangers' standard.

The above piece was written prior to Sunday by the way.

BACK AT THE START of this 21^st century, I had a conversation with Campbell Kennedy, the genial Barrhead Boy who has done so-much for the club during his years as St Mirren's Commercial Manager. The Buddies had just got back up to the top flight and I asked him what the Old Firm effect would be on his job.

Campbell said the odd thing about having a minimum four visits per season from the two big Glasgow clubs was that some regular users of corporate hospitality at the club deliberately avoided the visits of the Big Two. Apparently the toxic – atmosphere around the Old Firm “Glory Hunter” fans was enough to keep regulars away.

I could understand this. In a former life, when I was “the only neutral in Ayrshire” - covering Ayr United one week, Kilmarnock the next; part of my press box duties involved going down to the club offices pre-match and collecting the team sheets for the press box.

I recall one week, returning to the Rugby Park press box from the club office, being accosted by a couple of staunch representatives of Ra Peepul, demainding that I give them a team sheet. When I refused, since I only had enough to go round the working press, I was subjected to a stream of abuse – the entitlement of these people was off the scale.

I also know of regulars at St Mirren, Ayr United, Kilmarnock and other clubs who would quite happily take their sons and occasionally daughters to watch their local club, but, would, under no circumstances, take them when either one of The Bigot Brothers provided the opposition.

This has been happening for years, but neither the Scottish Professional Football League, The Scottish Football Association or the two clubs, has ever shown the least determination to do something about bringing the Big Two's considerable Lunatic Fringe to heel.

OK, I appreciate one of the games was on a Sunday, the other a Friday night, but, the last two attendances for Kilmarnock games at Rugby Park were:

1. League game v Celtic – 8,353

2. League Cup tie v Ayr United – 12,365

OK, the Ayrshire Derby was the first for four years, but, it was on a Friday night, both games were on television, yet if Celtic are the draw we are led to believe they are, you might have expected their game to have attracted the larger “gate” - instead, the visit of a team from a lower league brought-in a crowd some 50% greater than that attracted by the Champions of Scotland.

BACK IN THE DAY, when cup draws in Scotland were conducted by elected SFA officials in wood-panelled offices – Rangers and Celtic only ever met in cup finals.

Now some sceptical fiba writers put this down to the ball which represented Rangers' number was put into the wee velvet bag straight from a boiling kettle, while the Celtic ball went in, straight from the SFA freezer. Others reckoned the Rangers ball was square, the Celtic one was oval.

But, now the draws are conducted on live television, often by Z list “celebrities”, the old certainties no longer apply and the risk factor ensures that the Old Firm now clash before the finals - ah! The magic and uncertainty of all-in cup draws.

Now the League Cup is one Scottish competition where seeding is involved. So, why does this seeding not apply in the quarter-final draw? Suppose the seeding was decided by the league positions at the end of the previous season, then, Celtic would have been seeded one, Hearts two, Rangers three and so on.

Thus the four leading seeds would meet one of the other four clubs, the only issue to be drawn would be the venues. I have long favoured seeding cup draws, it perhaps gives the bigger clubs an advantage, but, it also throws up the chance of more cup upsets – but, this is perhaps too-sensible for Scottish fitba.

Still on the subject of the League Cup. Since this competition does not offer European competition as an incentive in winning it, how about a wee adjustment to the rules?

Why don't we decide, clubs have to observe “The eight diddies rule” and have eight Scotland-qualified players on the field at all times in League Cup ties. Mind you, one or two clubs would surely struggle to field a team if that rule applied.

The Scots - A Minority In Their Own Clubs

THE AULD ALLIANCE may have lang syne been consigned to history, but, there is still one French saying which applies to Scotland – and in particular to Scottish Football. That saying is: “plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose”. That old chestnut, to my mind, surely applies to these tales of a crisis meeting involving the entire Scottish Football Family.

Because, I honestly don't see anything changing – unless the suggested changes benefit a certain two clubs based in Glasgow. Such is the power, in particular the economic and financial power wielded by Rangers and Celtic, they rule the roost and for as long as they vote together, they will have their way.

On Saturday and Sunday, there was a full six match programme of Premier Division games. These six games attracted a total of 99,624 fans – but, there were more fans: 50,893 inside Ibrox for Rangers clash with Hibernian, than at the other five matches combined. Indeed, only one other game, the Tynecastle meeting of Hearts and Dundee United, attracted a five-figure attendance.

Put it another way, 51% of the total top-flight attendance over the weekend were there to watch one half of the Old Firm, indeed, at 59,246, the combined attendance for the two games involving the Old Firm represented 59% of the total top division turn-out over the weekend.

With that level of economic leverage, no change will happen which in any way handicaps those two clubs; who, by voting together, can stymie any efforts to change the status quo.

One of the most-hyped suggestions around the new master plan to improve Scottish football is a suggestion that the clubs gradually phase-in a system whereby, more Scottish players are fielded by Scottish clubs. This blog has been preaching this for years, we have long championed the implementation of that Chick Young dubbed: “the eight diddies rule” - whereby each club would be obliged to field eight Scots every week.

That is, apparently, too far for the clubs. I have seen suggestions of a move towards each club having five Scots on the field at any one time, rising over two or three seasons to seven Scots. I'll believe it when I see it.

Last weekend, the 132 players who kicked-off the Premier Division fixtures, comprised:

Aberdeen – 5 nations represented

• 4 Scots

• 4 Englishmen

• 1 Australian

• 1 German

• 1 Nigerian

Celtic – 9 nations represented

• 2 Scots

• 2 USA

• 1 Fin

• 1 Canadian

• 1 Swede

• 1Colombian

• 1 South Korean

• 1 Belgian

• 1 Dane

Dundee – 3 nations represented

• 5 Englishmen

• 4 Scots

• 2 Welshmen

Dundee United – 8 nations represented

• 3 Australians

• 1 Englishman

• 1 Irishman

• 1 Northern Irishman

• 1 Dutchman

• 1 Croatian

• 1 New Zealander

• 1 Scotsman

Falkirk – 4 nations represented

• 6 Scots

• 3 Englishmen

• 1 Australian

• 1 Northern Irishman

Heart of Midlothian – 6 nations represented

• 4 Scots

• 2 Dutchmen

• 2 Frenchmen

• 1 Irishman

• 1 Albanian

• 1 Portugeuse

Hibernian – 8 nations represented

• 3 Scots

• 2 Englishmen

• 1 Austrian

• 1 Australian

• 1 Irishman

• 1 Togo

• 1 Uganda

• 1 Zambian

Kilmarnock – 7 nations represented

• 4 Englishmen

• 2 Scots

• 1 Estonian

• 1 D R Congo

• 1 New Zealander

• 1 Pole

• 1 Swede

Motherwell – 10 nations represented

• 2 Austrians

• 1 Australian

• 1 Canadian

• 1 Englishman

• 1 New Zealander

• 1 Nigerian

• 1 Scot

• 1 Swiss

• 1 Welshman

• 1 Zimbabwean

Rangers – 9 nations represented

• 2 Scots

• 2 Belgians

• 1 Australian

• 1 Croatian

• 1 Englishman

• 1 Japanese

• 1 Portugeuse

• 1 Serbian

• 1 South African

St Johnstone – 3 nations represented

• 6 Scots

• 4 Englishmen

• 1 Northern Irishman

St Mirren – 7 nations represented

• 4 Scots

• 2 Englishmen

• 1 Australian

• 1 Cypriot

• 1 Irishman

• 1 Spaniard

• 1 Welshman

The 12 clubs employed players in their starting Xis, from a total of 35 nations, and the breakdown was as follows: 39 Scotsmen; 27 Englishmen; 9 Australians; 4 Irishmen, 4 Welshmen; 3 Austrians; 3 Belgians; 3 Dutchmen; 3 New Zealanders; 3 Northern Irishmen; 2 Canadians; 2 Croatians; 2 Frenchmen; 2 Nigerians; 2 Swedes; 2 United States of America=.

There was one players from each of: Albania, Colombia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmkark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Home Scots formed the largest group, but they only comprised 29% of the players who started the six games. To be fair, home Scots formed the biggest group of starters, either on their own or jointly with players from another nation in 8 of the 12 starting line-ups, but only Falkirk and St Johnstone, who each fielded 6 Scots in their starting line-ups, had the home nation in the majority in their squads.

In a further indication of how much the clubs depend on non-Scots, Falkirk's Scott Bain was the only Scottish goalkeeper who was on-duty on Saturday.

Much of the conversation around getting game time for more Scottish players is concerned with providing opportunities for younger players. I feel this issue is being approached from the wrong direction – we should maybe be looking firstly to get game time for Scottish players of any age, before pro-actively promoting younger talent.

Another issue which has arisen of late is the call for a larger Premier Division; many people feel it ought to be increased to a 16-club league. This idea has merit, but, I would not stop there. However since this piece is now rapidly approaching the 1000-word ceiling I try to keep to, I will finish here, for the moment, and expand my ideas further in a follow-up piece.

 

Not The Big Start We Had Hoped For

THIS BLOG HAS consistently, over the past four or five years, held to the belief that – while it has been a factor in the club's lack of success – the fact the men making the big decisions at Ibrox have recruited some Head Coaches/Managers, call them what you like, who in all honestly couldn't manage a shite with the help of caster oil; the fact most of the players they have recruited simply were NRC - Not Rangers Class, has made their job even harder.

I believe Derek McInnes could, if given sufficient time, become a great Rangers' manager. He knows the club, he has built-up to this job and he is a fan in the dug-out. However, in spite of his tinkering with the squad, he is still handicapped by the fact, his squad continues to have places for several players who are simply NRC.

By the way, on the evidence of Friday night at Tannadice, I think that NRC tag refers to the new goalkeeper – he seems to be a level down from Jack Butland, who, for all his many excellent saves, lacked the consistency of a top tier Rangers 'keeper.

Rangers didn't lose, but, merely drawing at Dundee United is not the result the glory-hunters on the terraces are looking for. Honeymoons are short for Old Firm managers.

THE LATE Jim Blair “the Sundance Kid” is still much-missed by those of us who enjoyed his company in the press boxes of Scotland. I recall one of Jim's funniest pieces – a review of the thought processes of the Rangers team, pre-match, in the pre-Souness years. One of the funnier paragraphs had Davie Cooper wondering which version of Davie Cooper would turn-up that afternoon.

From memory, Rangers were playing Aberdeen that day. I suppose, some 45 or so years on, the version of that would have an Aberdeen player wondering what version of the Dons would turn-up for the game. In some ways, Aberdeen is the 21^st century version of Partick Thistle, you never know if they're going to turn up and score a big win, or totally embarrass themselves.

However, beating Hearts with a late winner was a good way to begin their league campaign. As for the Edinburgh side, I fear they may struggle for a week or so yet before they find their post-McInnes selves.

I HAVE a couple of sports-writing Buddies, to whom I have been forced to address: Keep the heid messages over the weekend. OK, it might only be for a day or so, but, having St Mirren top of the leagues has got them a wee bit excited. As I have said before, I enjoyed my spell covering the Buddies on a weekly basis and hope they can maintain a top six position all season.

HOWEVER, KILMARNOCK remains my team. I was not happy with their performance in losing a veritable seven-goal thriller at St Johnstone on Sunday.

The cry was, once again, No defenders as defensive frailty cost Killie dear. I might have to turn-up at training and kick Wee Doddsie's erse again. This was simply not good enough.

I am not happy at the fact, Killie had only one Scot in their starting line-up on Sunday. The best Kilmarnock teams have always had a central core of Ayrshire boys, time to get back to that.

WATCH MOTHERWELL; they followed-up a good midweek result in Europe with a win over Hibs in a game which included some good football from both sides. However, on the day, I felt the Steelmen were the more-impressive side.

FINALLY, CELTIC unfurled another title flag, before stumbling to a 1-0 win over a Dundee side which caused them a few problemson the night.

Although not as far off what you might call the club's acceptable standard of performance as their rivals across the city – this is a far from stellar Celtic squad. Of course, these are very-early days, but, one of the Diddy Teams could, if they get off to the right start and develop a bit of belief, make this season a three-horse race.

I just wish our clubs would be a bit more prepared to give native talent a shot. I fear, this could be a long, dreich campaign.

FINALLY – such is my disdain for the numpties who make the big SFA decisions in that sixth-floor corridor at Hampden, I can see 54 UEFA nations standing together, calling for a vote of no confidence in and demanding the removal of Infantino from his job at FIFA.

Meanwhile, standing alone, insisting the embattled Swiss should not be harshly judged and given another chance, we would find – The Scottish Football Association.

 

They Couldn't - Surely?

I AM STARTING to worry; with the luck they have been carrying thus far, this flawed England team just could go all the way and finally end what their deluded fans see as 60 years of hurt and bring it home. Mind you, if they do, it would probably be the biggest boost to the Scottish Independence movement, ever. The only question then would be – just how would the Scottish National Party blow the opportunity?

This is not a good England team – for all he was, in my view, vastly over-rated, the don't have a defensive organiser anywhere close to Bobby Moore's class. Granted, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are World Class, Jordan Pickford is a more than capable goalkeeper, but, they have been joined in the squad by one or two who would not get into the Scotland squad.

But, they have ridden their luck and are in the final four, perhaps the best time for them to go out – just as English expectations hit peak hysteria. If they do reach the final, then lose, their media will still sell it as a triumph. Win it, Kane gets his K (knighthood) – lose in the final, he only gets a CBE. Go out in the semi, he maybe gets an OBE.

Meanwhile, Stevie Clarke will be denied the knighthood his stewardship of our team merits.

However, I reckon England is the weakest of the final four sides, but, as old Napoleon Bonaparte insisted: “Give me a General who is lucky” and Thomas Tuchel is certainly riding his luck thus far. Received wisdom has it that France and Spain are the two best sides left, then the argument is over how you rate the other two. Of course, The Donald has been involved in this World Cup and the eventual result could all come down to which nation he wants to win it – and how Infantino pauchles it to get that outcome. Indeed, the only reason I can think of for having England in the final would be to hear what sort of abuse their fans came up with to hurl at The Donald, and how FIFA and the American broadcasters tried to counter that abuse.

THE WORLD CUP hasn't finished yet, but, already, we are into Season 2026-27. The first games in the League Cup kicked off on Saturday, while this midweek sees the first qualifying rounds of the three European competitions concluded. We should perhaps be grateful, the Scottish Professional Football League still has sufficient status to keep our clubs out of these games, but, for how much longer?

It used to be, the fitbas remained in the cupboards until at least the new Open Golf Champion had been crowned.Covering The Open gave our leading fitba writers the chance to demonstrate they could write sensibly on topics other than The Old Firm, it was an enjoyable wee break before the season-long grind of trying to make the duopoly at the top interesting.

My favourite story of Scotland's top fitba writers covering The Open concerns the legend that was Ian “Dan” Archer. Dan covered Sandy Lyle's iconic Open win at Royal St George's in 1985; while he was there he took the opportunity, afforded by the superfast hovercraft service from Dover to Calais, to nip across the channel and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a three-star Michelin eatery just outside Calais – now, that's class. He was still back on the course and able to file his copy in time.

Of course, the best fitba person's Open experience has to be that enjoyed by the former St Mirren director, a gentleman high-up in the banking profession, who had, at very short notice, to arrange accommodation at one Open for Sevvy Ballesteros' father-in-law, who was a honcho for a major Spanish bank.

Our man pulled this off by getting one local manager to vacate his executive house in favour of the Spanish party. The fixer's reward was, on the Sunday, the final round, he was invited to watch the play from inside the ropes, as a member of the Ballesteros posse. As he told me on the following Monday: “After you've watched the final round of The Open from inside the ropes – you never go back to paying to watch.”

THE DRAW for the first two rounds of the Scottish Communities Cup (the Junior Cup as was) was made over the weekend. I found a corker in the second round, with Dufftown: “The malt whisky capital of the world” bracing itself for an invasion from the travelling hordes who follow the mighty Auchinleck Talbot.

The good people of Dufftown are well used to having their peace shattered by visiting American tourists, plus other visitors from elsewhere. I think, however, they will never have seen anything like the Talbot Bees who will follow their side as they embark on the campaign to win the magnificent trophy for a record-stretching 16^th time.

What they will make of the unique Talbot anthem: Eeka Peeka Pucka Po I do not know.

FINALLY – While Fleet Street will be pulling out every trick in the book for Jude Bellingham, for me, the real star of this World Cup is whoever writes the Paddy Power ads. His/her latest – a preview of England v Argentina is hilarious, saying what most of Scotland and Ireland is thinking.