November 17, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
Jimmy Calderwood - Future Scotland Coach?
Two potential candidates have already expressed interest in the Scotland manager job just vacated by George Burley.
As reported by the BBC, John Collins and Jimmy Calderwood are both keen to be considered. Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline coach, Calderwood said on Radio Scotland “Any Scottish manager would see it as a wonderful challenge”. Similarly, ex-Scotland midfielder, Collins declared his intentions saying “I would be interested in managing the national team”.
Other names suggested include Joe Jordan, Gary McAllister and favourite Craig Levein.
Of those suggested, I would prefer Calderwood or Jordan. Scotland need someone who can spur them on and fire them up for victory. As much as Levien is favoured by many, I don’t see him as being sufficiently passionate or ‘ball-breaking’ for this task. Jordan and Claderwood, however, strike me a strong coaches who will inspire the team while not taking any nonsense from anyone.
Tags: Craig Levein, Gary McAllister, Jimmy Calderwood, Joe Jordan, John Collins, Scotland, SFA
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November 16, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
George Burley, Scotland Coach 2008-2009
I just read on the BBC football pages, George Burley was sacked earlier today.
It’s hardly a shock. After the 3-0 drubbing in Cardiff it didn’t look good for Burley. That, together with the recent dire World Cup qualification attempt, the SFA had to let him go. And having followed Scotland’s impressive efforts under both Smith and McLeish, this downturn was hard to bear. The SFA had, in my mind, no choice but to act.
Now the question is being asked, who’s going to manage the Scotland team going forward? Hopefully someone with a bit of passion. Sounness? Strachan? I’d like to see Walter Smith back, but that’s unlikely. Whoever takes the job, let’s hope they can inspire the team and fans like not so long ago. Then we can think about maybe having a chance in Euro 2012.
Tags: football, George Burley, Scotland, SFA, soccer
Posted in World Cup 2010 | Leave a Comment »
November 15, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
We spent ages yesterday looking for a pup showing the Wales v Scotland match. Now, I almost wish I hadn’t bothered.
We were in Oxford for a concert. Having never been there before we had search out a pub showing the football. Easier said than done. With the England v Argentina rugby match being on at the same time and a local preference for rugby this was less than easy. Luckily we found the Eurobar, which was good enough to provide half the bub for football viewing. Result! 
Next, to enjoy a few beers and a fine Scotland performance?
No. Not quite. It was embarrassing! 3-0 down by the end of the fist half. Did we have any defence? Well, I never saw any effort to stop the Welsh goals. A shocking effort! The only consolation was that I never wasted money for a ticked or wasted time travelling to Cardiff. Not that it help make the result any easier to bear. Polite words fail me.
Tags: Oxford, Scotland, wales
Posted in Friendlies | Leave a Comment »
October 18, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
The SFA recently announced that Scotland will be travelling to Cardiff for a Wales v Scotland friendly on 14 November. And it looks like I won’t be going:(
I won’t be in Cardiff for two reasons. One, I have tickets to see The Airborne Toxic Event in Oxford. And two, I don’t have 4 away points. That’s right, the SFA are only offering tickets to anyone who has accumulated 4 points over the last 10 away matches.
4 away points! That’s a joke! How many fans have 4 away points? I have none. None at all. And as long as anyone in my position has no chance of even applying for an away ticket thousands of us are trapped in a zero-point rut. And it could easily be solved.
The SFA say that the points system is designed to reward the most loyal fans. Fine. I broadly agree with that. However, some means has to be available to provide opportunity to those who would loyally follow Scotland abroad if given the chance. Something like a point or half point for loyally attending home games? That’s not rocket science and I’m sure it would be difficult to administer. So, SFA, how about it??
Meanwhile, I need to find a Scottish or Welsh pub in Oxford that will be showing the game. Anyone have any suggestions?
Tags: cardiff, oxford pubs, wales
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October 11, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
I almost wish I’d stayed in bed. Getting up on a Saturday morning to see Scotland lose 2-0 is not my idea of time well spent. And to have opened the scoring (for Japan!!) is even worse. An excuse is that we were missing a number of our best players. True enough. But Japan were not exactly fielding their best squad.
The game seemed to really drag. As for the Scotland squad, the did try, but they didn’t merit Burley saying that ”they were excellent”. Not one shot at goal (the Japan goal!!) and, as a result, nothing to show for it. Then the own-goal. Well, you all saw it. I was just glad when it all ended.
Posted in Friendlies, Scotland Squad, Tartan Army Abroad | Leave a Comment »
September 10, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
It happened again. Scotland are out of the World Cup.
We made our way to The Three Kings in West Kensington. The pub was absolutely heaving with fellow Scots looking to see our team secure a chance of qualification. And we all know how it ended – typically!
Scotland played their socks off. The scoreline didn’t do them justice, but it was too little too late. Had the y payed that well against Norway at Hampden, or even in Oslo, we’d have had at least a couple more points. But no, again it was a last match scramble that went the wrong way.
Tags: Scotland
Posted in World Cup 2010 | Leave a Comment »
September 5, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
Scotland celebrate taking the lead against Macedonia
Scott Brown and James McFadden have helped keep Scotland’s World Cup qualification hopes alive. With two second half goals they have kept Scotland in sight of next year’s World Cup finals.
By a strange twist of fate I watched the match in a pub in Knebworth. There was some other nonsense on TV elsewhere in the pub, but it seemed that football was being given precedence over anything else and, as it should be, that meant the Scotland game was being shown on the big screen.
I was the only Scot there, but it seems a few local Englanders were also interested. It turned out they had bet money on the outcome. Most had bet on a draw. Normally that would annoy me but after Norway’s first win in the competition I can’t say I blame them for doubting a Scottish win. A few others had more faith in the home team. Anyhoo, to cut a long story short, I am happy to say those betting against recent form ended the day richer.
Next match, am off to Rob Roy’s in Paddington. Another 2-0 result will do just fine:)
Tags: James McFadden, Scott Brown
Posted in World Cup 2010 | 1 Comment »
August 13, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
“That’s the bloody worst performance I’ve witnessed. I am literally sickened!!”
That’s what my brother texted from the stadium in Oslo. And I have to say it runs parallel with how I felt last night – robbed of 2 hours of my life by a Scotland team that didn’t deserve better than the final score.
I was at the Rob Roy in Paddington with a couple hundred other fans. The atmosphere was one of optimism and expectancy. Norway are far from the best team in the world, so Scotland had a fair chance of a point or three. Unfortunately, the team either didn’t agree or didn’t care. And Norway took full advantage. Strangely the pub started to empty 20 minutes into the second half, and I blame noneof those who left.
As a closing comment here is what one of my friends said shortly after the match “They should be hung, drawn and quartered. Burley needs to take the high road!!”. Harsh, but fair?
Tags: George Burley
Posted in Scotland Squad, Tartan Army Abroad, World Cup 2010 | Leave a Comment »
August 4, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
Scotland Coach George Burley has realeased the names of his 23-man squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Norway in Oslo.
Goalkeepers Neil Alexander and Jamie Langfield join the squad, along with Burnley defender Steven Caldwell, Preston North End’s Callum Davidson and Rangers pair Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith.
Goalkeepers
Neil Alexander, Rangers
Jamie Langfield, Aberdeen
David Marshall, Cardiff City
Defenders
Darren Barr, Falkirk
Christophe Berra, Wolverhampton Wanderers
Gary Caldwell, Celtic
Steven Caldwell, Burnley
Callum Davidson, Preston North End
Alan Hutton, Tottenham Hotspur
Jamie McAllister, Bristol City
Steven Whittaker, Rangers
Midfield
Graham Alexander, Burnley
Scott Brown, Celtic
Kris Commons, Derby County
Darren Fletcher, Manchester United
Paul Hartley, Bristol City
Shaun Maloney, Celtic
James McFadden, Birmingham City
Forwards
David Clarkson, Bristol City
Steven Fletcher, Burnley
Ross McCormack, Cardiff City
Kenny Miller, Rangers
Steven Naismith, Rangers
Tags: George Burley, Norway
Posted in Scotland Squad, World Cup 2010 | Leave a Comment »
July 31, 2009 by Tartan Army Soldier
The end qualification leg of World Cup 2010 is drawing near. For those able to go (not me:() tickets are now of sale to the general public for the last two matches, Scotland v Macedonia and Scotland v Holland. Tickets are available from £25 to £35 from the sources below:
Telephone: 0844 481 1818 (10.00 am to 9.00 pm on 31 July, then daily from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm)
SECC Box Office: Monday to Friday (10.00 pm to 6.00 pm) Saturday (10.00 am to 5.00 pm)
Hampden Museum Shop: Monday to Saturday (10.00 am to 5.00 pm) Sunday (11.00 am to 5.00 pm)
As I said before I won’t be going. I moved jobs and ended up with 5 fewer days holiday. The result is I won’t abe able to travel up to Glasgow for these matches!!! Instead I’ll be in the Rob Roy with a few other London Scottish.
Posted in World Cup 2010 | 2 Comments »
