Tartan Army Soldier

Scotland, Ireland and Wales consider bidding to host Euro 2020

Tartan Army Soldier — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:38:11 +0000

Scotland, Ireland and Wales have officially declared an interest in hosting Euro 2020. The ‘Celtic trio’ would share this on a three-way basis. It is undecided who would host which games, but there is common desire to hold the event.

Other countries hoping to host Euro 2020 are Georgia and Turkey. Both have expressed interest separately but neither is considered with much seriousness. Turkey FA is suffering a barrage of allegations of corruption and match-fixing. Meanwhile Georgia, who hoped Azerbaijan would join them in their ambitions, have a shortage of suitable stadiums.

Some are saying that the ‘Celtic trio’ could gather significant support. The idea of submitting a tri-national bid will ensure qualification for all three teams. This may be seen as an opportunity for smaller nations for qualify by similar means.

The bid has yet to be officially submitted. But if the three nations agree there is a good chance the Euros will be coming to Scotland in 2020.

More news at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18069127

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18079443

USA v Scotland – 1,000 tickets for Scotland fans

Tartan Army Soldier — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 21:54:02 +0000

After a respectable draw in Slovenia, the Scotland squad are now heading off to face the USA. This friendly will be help on 26 May in Jacksonville, Florida.

Ticket allocation has been arranged. The result is that Scotland fans have been given 1,000 tickets, costing $40 (roughly £26). Expectation is that all SSC members who want one should be able to successfuly apply for a ticket.

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.