Tartan Army Soldier

Slovenia v Scotland – February 29

Tartan Army Soldier — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:47:14 +0000

Scotland will be heading of to Slovenia at the end of February for a friendly away fixture.

Tickets for the Slovenia v Scotland match are now available to Scotland Supporters Club members from 23:59 tonight. Cost is 30 Euros (about £20) each. There will be only 660 tickets available. So get in quick.

Scotland’s FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying Dates Confirmed

Tartan Army Soldier — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Scotland’s FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying dates have been confirmed.

2012
Saturday 8th September 2012 – Scotland v Serbia
Tuesday 11th September 2012 – Scotland v Macedonia
Friday 12th October 2012 – Wales v Scotland
Tuesday 16th October 2012 – Belgium v Scotland

2013
Friday 22nd March 2013 (subject to police approval)- Scotland v Wales
Tuesday 26th March 2013 – Serbia v Scotland
Friday 7th June 2013 (9pm kickoff tbc) – Croatia v Scotland
Friday 6th September 2013 – Scotland v Belgium
Tuesday 10th September 2013 – Macedonia v Scotland
Tuesday 15th October 2013 – Scotland v Croatia

Scotland 2 – 2 Czech Republic – Scotland robbed as Rezek dives

Tartan Army Soldier — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:05:13 +0000

I’m gutted!! Scotland drew 2-2 to the Czech Republic in what can easily described a highly controversial match. Despite being ahead twice in the game, a series of falls by the Czechs and questionable refereeing decisions wrecked the day for every Scotland fan. Pundits are using words like ‘cheats’, ‘sickening’ and ‘disgusting’. And I can’t disagree. To suffer because of such dubious decisions while being the better team is hard to take. It feels like we’ve been raped.

Scotland 2 – 1 Denmark – Scotland defeat Denmark at Hampden

Tartan Army Soldier — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:34:16 +0000

The Scotland squad did themselves proud this evening. A 2-1 victory over Denmark, one of Europe’s better teams, provided some entertaining football with Robert Snodgrass scoring the winning goal in what was his international debut.

World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifying Draw

Tartan Army Soldier — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:11:38 +0000

The draw has been made for the World Cup 2014 qualifying stages. Teams were drawn in Rio De Janeiro on June 30. Scotland were selected into Group A and will face Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Macedonia and Wales.

I reckon that’s a fairly good draw for Scotland. None of these teams are pushovers. I can’t see any teams that will guarantee us 6 points, like San Marino or Iceland, but at the same time we could have ended up a lot worse. We have avoided teams like Holland or Italy who would have posed a significant challenge. None of the teams drawn are beyond a motivated Scotland team.

Away form could be the key. I reckon Scotland are good enough to beat any of those teams at Hampden. And with that 15 points we just need to secure some decent results away from home. Croatia and Wales have a decent history, but have faltered in recent years. And none of the other 3 are sure-fire world-beaters. With a bit of luck and a determined effort it should be beyond the Scotland squad to lead us on a Brazilian journey to the finals in 2014.

And if the SFA could avoid agreeing to Scotland playing matches in Macedonia, Croatia or Serbia in the height of summer, that would be a big help too.

Liechtenstein v Scotland – Ticket allocation decision

Tartan Army Soldier — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:24:16 +0000

The SFA have released details of the ticket allocation for the Liechtenstein v Scotland match on 8 October. Scotland fans have been allocated 2000 tickets.

Tickets will be available to SSC members with 6 points or more. Purchases can be made any time after 10.00 am on Friday 8 July until 9.00 pm on Friday 12 August. Tickets will be available from ticketlink.

Team GB ‘historic agreement’ – non-English FAs not impressed

Tartan Army Soldier — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 13:59:12 +0000

The British Olympic Association (BOA) recently reported an ‘historic agreement’ with the English FA. The result of this is that there will be a Team GB taking part in the London 2012 Olympics. Not surprisingly, the SFA and counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland are, to put it mildly, somewhat upset.

To be honest it all seems a bit of a nonsense. From what I understand, the agreement will allow English players to take part in Team GB during the forthcoming 2012 Olympics. The SFA and FAs in Wales and Northerm Ireland are, as expected, not happy. Each opposes a Team GB. The prospect of anything that would dilute the independence of the separate national teams is never going to go down well. And, despite FIFA promises of the contrary, they see Sepp Blatter and co. using this as an opportunity to push for a permanent UK team. Noone outside of England will tolerate such a move, so opposition is intense.

I’m as against Team GB as anyone. However I think the furore may be irrelevant and too little too late. The FA state that their counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have stated that they are not going to prevent players from joining Team GB. So, does any of the recent controversy really matter? If all British players are free to play for a UK Olympic team why does there need to be any ‘historic agreement’? What purpose does it have? And the three other football associations seem to have put themseleves in a position where they can do nothing to prevent non-English paticipation.

I think the other home nations are to blame more than anyone. They seem to be making a fuss about a situation that their past weakness has made unavoidable. They are in no plaace to stop Team GB and are shouting loudly to appear they appear to be without guilt. I’m happy to criticise the FA and BOA when they deserve it. However, I think at least some of the blame lies closer to home.

Scotland v Denmark – Tickets on sale

Tartan Army Soldier — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:45:07 +0000

The SFA have organised a Scotland v Denmark friendly. The match has been scheduled for Wednesday 10 August 2011 at Hampden Park. Kick off will be at 7.45 pm.

With the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers getting closer the SFA have organised a ‘warm-up’ match against Denmark. With tough opposition, including world champions Spain and the Czech Republic, it is intended that this challenge match will allow the Scotland team the preparation they need to reach the finals in Euro 2014 finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Tickets will be available to SSC members from 10am on 3 June. The price has been set at £18 and will include a FREE ticket to the Scotland v Norway Under 21 match at St Mirren Park at 4pm the same day.

Republic of Ireland 1 – 0 Scotland

Tartan Army Soldier — Tue, 31 May 2011 00:17:31 +0000

Scotland suffered its only defeat in the Carling Nations Cup on Sunday, finishing tournament runner-up. The deciding Republic of Ireland v Scotland match finished 1-0 in favour of the hosts.

Both teams started the match with an unbeaten tournament record. With 2 victories each, both needing a victory to secure victory in the inaugural tournament.

Compared to previous matches the Irish were stronger and the Scottish weaker. Ireland added the experienced Darren O’Dea, Keith Fahey, Stephen Hunt and Liam Lawrence. Meanwhile Scotland had lost the in-form James Morrison and the experience of Gary Caldwell to injury.

Both teams started well. The ball was sent towards goal nets at both ends. However it was the Irish who broke the deadlock after some unfortunately loose playing by Scotland.

Robbie Keane was the man who broke the deadlock. Advancing from the centre of the field he kicked from the edge of the penalty box sending the ball under McGregor giving Keane his 49th goal for Ireland. 23 minutes gone and Scotland were a goal down. Despite some shots at the Irish goal from Adam and Naismith that was how the first half ended.

Envigorated by their lead the Irish started the second half enthusiastically. The hosts continued to pressure Scotland who held off further advances.

Play picked up when Barry Bannan replaced an injured Adam. However it was not enough an the match ended Republic of Ireland 1 – 0 Scotland.

Wales v Scotland result – Wales 1 – 3 Scotland

Tartan Army Soldier — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:31:52 +0000

Scotland are only one match away from winning the Carling Nations Cup. After a 3-1 victory over Wales, there is now only one game left to play, and it could lead to some nice silver.

We were back at The Three Kings. The atmosphere wasn’t exactly electric, but we had beer and we were were hopeful that Scotland could continue their recently improved form.

Scotland’s recent history against the Welsh hasn’t been good. The last two meetings have ended with Wales victorious. Added to the fact that we haven’t got the better of Wales since 1984, there wasn’t an overwhelming expectation for Scotland to win. Fortunately the 27 drought was about to end.

The game started a bit slowly but it soon picked up. Both teams had chances, coming close to scoring on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, it was Wales who broke the deadlock. After pressing hard against the Scotland team captain Earnshaw earned himself what was surely an inevitable goal. Taking advantage of a dire header by left-back Crainey past he seized the ball and sent it flying past Allan McGregor to put Wales into the lead.

The second half saw a much improved Scotland effort. Having been booed off at the end of the first half they seemed fired up and had certainly upped their game. An it paid off. Only 10 minutes in and James Morrison send the ball into the Wales netting, bringing the score level.

Wales made some changes, but Scotland were on a roll. Morrison set up a second goal, pulling the ball back to allow Miller to put Scotland into the lead. It was 2-1 in Scotland’s favour. But more was to come.

Only a further six minutes had passed when Scotland moved further ahead. Whittaker’s struck a pinpoint cross that connected with Christophe Berra, who headed the ball past the far post. 3-1! Fantastic! And that was how it ended. Superb result.

The scene is now set for Scotland to play the Republic of Ireland on Sunday. If they win the Carling Nations Cup will be heading to Glasgow. I’ll be in Scotland then, and intend to find somewhere to watch it with my brother and other fans.