Strathman

Dorrans has not been picked in the under 21 squad out today. If he was worth 100 grand you would think he would be.

Good point. Did United ever pay the money they owed Ayr for Conway? What was the fee for Robson? I had it in my mind it was a Bosman. It can't have been if there was a sell-on.

Think it was. Congrats to Ian Vigurs on making his SPL debut. Have seen him in the reserves and the boy oozes composure.

Two categories. An experienced player who is good enough to get in the side like Lee Bullen or possibly Jackie McNamara and wants their first step on the ladder. Or you could have someone like Davie Hay, knows the game well, has a good eye for a player and would not be after Brewster's job. Someone who will give good advice.

Malpas was in the paper the other week stating how difficult it was to break into the under 21 squad. McAllister has been capped at under 19, under 20 (scored at that level) and indeed under 21 level this season. Different managers have picked him for club and country. They would not do that if they thought he was effing hopeless. The problem he has in the first team would appear to be one of confidence. Booing kids is mental. It is not unique. Aberdeen fans gave Ricky Foster a horrendous time when he was Rory's age but he ended up turning it round and was one of their better players last season. Who knows if Rory will turn it round also but if he does not and it is Gary Wood's turn next season will he suffer the same fate after a few bad games? These boys have got to be encouraged.

Played against Dumbarton according to teletext??

Prefer Caff. Anyone seen how Guy Kerr is doing in the reserves?

Knox said after the Czech match that he would see who was getting games in the first team for the next squad. Elliot played on Saturday for Hearts. At least Rory got an under 21 cap. Is he the first ICT player to get an under 21 cap while playing for ICT?

I dont remember Dalglish playing for Blackburn and Newcastle when they won and finished 2nd in the premiership respectively. Thats beside the point. The reason Brewster is not being welcomed with open arms is for me his record at Dundee United. The broken leg point is valid. He has never built a side like my choice (Pele) and Neil Warnock who have built several. To be fair I do think he has a presence and may well be successful but it is a massive gamble compared to appointing Paterson and Warnock. I would loved to have seen Warnock and Scottish referees when the old firm get dodgy penalties and we do not get stonewall ones.

Harry Redknapp has done not bad since returning to Portsmouth. Last week Barry Robson got picked for Scotland and Mark Brown played in the Champions League. Both players signed on frees by Pele.

I think someone should put the case for Pele to return so here goes. Pele left the club at the TOP of the first division in 2001. On Saturday at Love Street eight of of the thirteen who played were signed at one time by Pele. Think about that this is 2007, nearly six years on the bulk of the team were signed by this man. John Roberston and Craig Brewster carried it on, did well, and got jobs on the back of these players. Robertson failed at Hearts and Livingston and fled at the first sign of cutbacks at Ross County as Smithy's ludicrous spending on wages came home to roost. Craig hardly won a game at Dundee United. Many will say Pele also failed at Pittodrie and I partly agree with that. The job he took on was massive . He inherited an overpaid squad of bad professionals. He had to cut the wage bill and overturn the playing staff. He had to buy at the cheap end of the market. Sheerin, Hart, Heikenen and Tosh all contributed. He gave youngsters like Diamond, Foster and Considine their debuts. At the end of his only full season they finished 11th but the injury list was horrendous. McNaughton, Anderson and Diamond were all out for the last few months of the season and he ended up having to play guys he had already freed!. He made a bad signing in McQuilken but to his immense credit he accepted it and moved him on quickly unlike his successor and Ritchie Byrne. Unfortunately he was sacked and despite a poll in the Aberdeen evening paper which showed about 90 per cent thought it was wrong. He did not get the chance to complete the job. Who knows what would have happened when all the players were fit at the start of the following season. Jimmy Calderwood got the benefit and also money to spend. He has slowly rehabillitated himself firstly at Forres where he built a decent side and now at Peterhead where he seems to building a decent team. I for one think he has one big job left in him and would welcome him back, Anyone else?

You are in trouble with RiG. Gary has only been at the club for less than two seasons and according to him in no way does that represent coming through the youths. I think you have to join at under 9's!

Was Murdo MacLeod on the panel? He was on the panel that if not spitefully then at least bizarrely rejected Jason Scotland's application a few years back. They were saying on Talksport yesterday that Alex has not even agreed terms at Chelsea yet but his went through on the nod. No way has he played 75 per cent of Brazil's recent internationals.

Yes but I would say two seasons in the youth team then getting is pretty much "through the ranks" . No.

Completely agree. What does Caley100 get out of slagging a young player that has come through the ranks? McAllister has not had the luxury of learning his trade at a lower level like Bayne, Wyness and Dargo. He scores for fun in the reserves. He needs a spell on loan somewhere. Give the kid a break.

Pre-season maybe but it was bad. Hardly a chance created and second to every ball. Richie Hart played okay and took his goal well. Passmarks also to Barry when he came on and young Vigurs.

No. I know exactly what happened to Kevin. Still in the game at Villa I think. No this boy played two years in the Victory Shield for Scotland. Could be nearer 15 years ago. Time flies!

Talking of McDonalds, does anyone know what happened to James MacDonald the Inverness boy who played for Scotland schoolboys and signed for Arsenal maybe ten years back?

Well it is wrong Alex. He played up front for the 19's and he played up front when he played for Elgin. He is a striker who knocks defenders about. Very strong with a decent touch.

Gary Wood is a striker.

Suspect Rory is a bit unlucky seeing he has been in all the squads this year and scored in the last game. He was probably up against Fletcher and Elliot for the big forward role and they have a lot more experience. Eliot must consider himself lucky and has probably been picked on past deeds rather than current form. He has hardly played since returning to Hearts. I wonder if he is on standby.

Good shout. Billy McNeill relegated both in the SAME season. Curbishley and Pardew would have equalled if Man Utd had beat West Ham.

Vigurs played for Scotland 19's against Austria last week.

Alex is not talking rubbish. Miller did nothing until a successful loan spell at Stenhousemuir. Rory has been top scorer for the reserves for 3 seasons. Not bad for a 19 year old. He has scored in the SPL something Dargo, Wyness and Bayne failed to do when given games at that age. Tokely, Munro, Hastings, Wilson and McBain did not get near the SPL first team at that age. They learnt their trade at a lower level. Get him out on loan and stop slagging him. The under 21 rule is not doing him any favours because Charlie needs him in the squad.

Elliot has been picked in the last Scotland u20 squad before the World Cup along with Rory McAllister.