Tartan Army Soldier

Scotland won’t be playing Argentina this year. After Scotland fans expressed theier views on the TAMB, the SFA have decided the hike in ticket prices (up to £50?) will be sufficiently unwelcome to make it unfeasible to hold the match.

So what now?? One of my pals said “Maybe we could play England”. Unfortunately that can’t happen as England will be facing Germany that night. It was also mentioned that Spain are available. How true that is I can’t say, but it would make for an interesting match. The Spanish are currently ranked number one in the world, so the Scotland team would be gaining from exposure to superior opposition, probably without the fans paying through the nose for the pleasure.

The possibility of a Scotland friendly against Argentina is back on the cards. The SFA are reported to be discussing the possibility with their Argentine counterparts. The plan is for a match at Hampden later this year.

Whether or not the match takes place is anyone’s guess. The SFA are keen to take advantage of a free international date in November for the fixture. However a previous attempt to arrange such a match failed earlier this year. The main stumbling block is money. Argentina demand a hefty appearance fee, while fans have expressed a reluctance to pay for excessively priced match tickets.

It’s a tough one. I also am reluctant to pay too much money. However, the chance to see Scotland go up against the likes of Argentina is something I would consider paying extra to see. I guess what matters is just how much more I (and everyone else) is willing to pay. £30 sounds about right to me. Plus, considering the occasion, I am sure the marketing team at SFA central to drum up some extra sponsorship money to push it all through. If the SFA show they aren’t just relying on the fans to pay the extra cash I am sure we will all feel a bit more generous. It would be worth it.

The new FIFA rankings came out earlier this week. Good news for Scotland. And not-so-good news for England. Scotland are now ranked 16th, up one place from last month’s 17th position. More interestingly though is that the England team is now only one place ahead of Scotland. With Scotland facing Northern Ireland and England going up against the Czech Republic on August 20, who comes out ahead as the top-ranked British team is anyone’s guess.

My money is on Scotland. I reckon we can get the better Northern Ireland and predict a draw at Wembley. That should be enough to push past England.

FIFA Rankings

The SFA have announced that tickets for the Scotland v Northern Ireland friendly are to be made available to Scotland Supporters Club members from July 1. The Tennent’s International Challenge Match, at Hampden on August 20, will be the last Scotland game before the World Cup qualifiers. Tickets will cost £15 and £20.

I don’t know if I’ll be there. August is going to be a bonkers month. However I hope to get back to Scotland for the match. Failing that, I’ll be off to the Rob Roy near Paddington. Hopefully it’ll be a good result before we all fly to Macedonia.

Holland were looking unstoppable. Winning their way to the Euro 2008 quarter finals in ultimate style, it seemed they were the team most likely lift trophy on June 29. Russia, however, had other ideas. Winning 3-1 in extra time the Russians have ejected the Dutch and progressed to the semi-finals. Unfortunately for Holland, but possibly good for Scotland.

Could this upset give Scotland an edge in the World Cup 2010 qualifiers? Not to underestimate the Holland side, but going up against the Euro 2008 quarter finalists will be a lot less daunting than had the Dutch progressed further.

Can anyone stop the Dutch. Group C was always going to be of interest to Scotland fans - including past opponents France and Italy and future World Cup 2010 nemesis Holland. Yesterday was Holland v France. Holland’s display was outstanding!

The Dutch always play well. However it already looks like they could be top favourites to take home trophy. After only 9 minutes they were ahead of the French. And it never looked like they were going to lose. Even when Henry beat Van der Sar the Dutch were back all over France and punching home another goal within the next minute.

I’m supporting the Dutch, but I’m beginning to hope they show some weakness that the Scotland squald can explot in the future. Otherwise, we’re going to need to sort out some miracle to stop Van Basten’s men.

I’ve not long finished watching the Holland v Italy game. And what a corker it was - total quality football.

I have to admit I was rooting for the Dutch. After the questionable defeat of Scotland at Hampden last November I have not been a huge fan of the Italian team. Watching them go down 3-0 was somewhat pleasing. More interesting perhaps (and worrying) was that the Dutch played so well.

The Dutch are Scotland’s biggest threat for World Cup 2010 qualification. And after last night’s performance we really need to be wary of them. Having beat France in Paris, we are not about surrender before the occasion, but the Scotland squad really have their work cut out.

Meanwhile, I will be backing the Marco van Basten’s men to win. ‘On the Dutch!

I’m gutted! A 3-1 defeat for Scotland in Prague. I’m almost glad I wasn’t there. Many pints have been consumed and I’m only now facing up to it all.

The match being a 4:30pm kick off and having to work, I was following the match on the BBC website. From what I was reading, Scotland, despite spells of possession, were losing the ball to the Czechs far too often. However despite the Czech’s having the better half Craig Burley’s men were holding the east Europeans at bay. The first half ended 0-0.

The second half started as the first ended. Scotland were in no fear of scoring any time soon, but the Czech didn’t seem to be ready to break the deadlock either. Then tragedy!! Ex-Rangers winger Libor Sionko scored for the Czechs. ****! Scotland had to turn this around. After the recent England victory I didn’t need ammunition for my colleagues to give me a slagging. Time for an equaliser!!!

But no. After some close calls at both ends of the pitch, disappointment was about to increase. Michal Kadlec showed why Celtic are interested in him by doubling the Czech lead.

Almost immediately, Scotland replied. With less than two minutes gone since the Czech strike, David Clarkson sank the ball past Cech. 2-1. Scotland were back in the game. With less than 10 minutes to go we were still in with the chance of a draw.

Libor Sionko put paid that! Another Czech goal. Fook! 3-1! I was off to the pub. Much beer followed.

Scotland Coach George Burley has announced his 23 man squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic in Prague.

The squad includes 5 players making their debut: Christophe Berra of Hearts, Steven Whittaker and Kevin Thomson of Rangers, James Morrison of West Brom and Ross McCormack of Motherwell.

Goalkeepers:
Craig Gordon (Sunderland)
David Marshall (Norwich)

Defenders:
Russell Anderson (Sunderland)
Christophe Berra (Hearts)
Gary Caldwell (Celtic)
Christian Dailly (Rangers)
Alan Hutton (Tottenham)
Stephen McManus (Celtic)
Kevin McNaughton (Cardiff)
Gary Naysmith (Sheff Utd)
Steven Whittaker (Rangers)

Midfielders:
Darren Fletcher (Man Utd)
Paul Hartley (Celtic)
James Morrison (West Brom)
Gavin Rae (Cardiff)
Barry Robson (Celtic)
Kevin Thomson (Rangers)

Forwards:
Kris Boyd (Rangers)
Steven Fletcher (Hibs)
Ross McCormack (Motherwell)
James McFadden (Birmingham)
Shaun Maloney (Aston Villa)
Kenny Miller (Derby)

Tickets for the Czech Republic v Scotland’s friendly in Prague have been made available to members of the Scotland Supporters Club. Well, some of them.

For now, only fans with at least 4 away points will be allowed to apply for tickets. Because Scotland fans have been allocated a paltry 2000 tickets (at £10 and £20) only some of the SSC will be able to apply. The plan is to open up application to other fans if tickets remain after the initial offering.

I’m unable to go, but my brothers with3 point each will be in Prague. Right now they are hoping like mad that there isn’t a full uptake of tickets. I wish them luck.