starchief

I don't think you've quite got the jist of what I'm saying. Think last year. Think Gretna. Think 'worst squad'. Think 'way behind on points'. Think 'a lot worse than any other team'. Same scenario as this year? No? Get it now? No self-preservation call, just looking at the state of the teams in the relegation battle.

Whether it matters to Scotland is another question to whether a life ban is just. If Alexander plays as well as he can, then, no, I don't think it'll harm Scotland too much. Mind you, Ferguson was tremendous for Rangers last season and Scotland in the Euro 08 run-up, plus is only just coming back in to form, so who knows if he could have picked up again. My view, too severe. But, I was thinking that Rangers so rarely play (or will play) some top players, i.e. McGregor, Ferguson, Hemdani (how can they leave this player out?), Boyd, Novo, Velicka, Edu, de Beasley. Every single player in there would not only be a regular but a key player for every team outside the SPL. In fact, in some cases, they should really be playing a lot more for Rangers.

There you go, I think Killie's squad is the best all about opinions I suppose. Certainly close. I'm wondering if maybe Hamilton will take a dive. At the moment, a good run sees us a good chance of survival but all the relegation threatened teams have good squads and good managers. None of them really deserve the First Division.

Don't know what you were worried about.

The mini-match is from 28 February 2008. Celtic 2-1 Inverness. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...uit-788682.html Nicuale's just scored!

I'm listening to the Inverness match (which is worldwide, not just UK) and watching Celtic v Hamilton on Arabic TV. Instead of adverts, they show a 'mini match' at half time. Can't quite place it but it's an old Celtic v Inverness match (not that one!). Good match too!

Just can't escape the feeling this is a storm in a teacup that is being taken advantage of due to Ferguson not recovering his form. Rangers also don't need McGregor with their back-up keeper, Neil Alexander. I was pretty surprised he agreed to join as second-choice in the first place. Neither performed for Scotland. Ferguson not performing for Rangers this season* and the Blues would love their transfer fees. *although I don't buy this 'Fergie hasn't performed in years and never plays well for Scotland' schtick. He dragged the Gers to the UEFA Cup Final last season and was easily one of the best players under le Guen and Smith when he came back. His game against France also sticks out. Only this season has he been poor.

There's definitely a fair share of, how you say, undesirables but compare Maryhill to a place with horses running in the open fields behind them and a short walk to a firth with a spectacular bridge and dolphins leaping out of the water and there's no contest.

I've got a contract in Britain (Manchester) for part of what is laughingly known as the summer, so it's the UK for me! I might get up to Invranessy or somewhere that sounds a bit like that. You know, the place where Clack-ma-puddin' plays. By the way, Dusseldorf is German for Village of the Idiots!

Maurice who? Who Malpas? Who who?

No, I think we deserved to win. A decent striker and we would have walked it. Iceland had their moments but they were second best overall.

Apparently they made an apology, so it's not an attempt to get out of the squad. Probably a fairly innocent answer: disappointment and anger at the Holland result. Not the right way to get it out but it seems the way it happened at Rangers, including their most successful run.

Not my line-up but I expect: Gordon Hutton Caldwell McManus Naysmith McCormack Fletcher Brown Morrison Iwulemo Miller Mine would be: Gordon Hutton Caldwell McManus Naysmith Burke D.Fletcher Brown Morrison Clarkson McCormack Clarkson scored last time out, hence he's in instead of Miller or S. Fletcher. Also, the front two have played regularly together, which is also the reason I'd bring back McManus. Burke brought in to add a touch of width in the light of Teale not being up to it and Kommons injured. I'd also draft Riordan, McArthur and Black in to the subs bench.

Hopefully it's just a convenient excuse as drinking AFTER a game isn't anything too bad. Rangers won nine-in-a-row with that attitude. Fergie was bloody awful against Holland and McGregor less than average.

A country gets the government it deserves. Everyone berates the spin of Labour (although it was Satchi and Satchi that really began it in Thatcher's day) but so few people actually look into policies. The fact that Labour can win in certain places due to them being left-wing (that was a looooooooooooooooong time ago), or the Tories being good at economics (two recessions, sky-high unemployment and interest rates at over 15%, not to mention more businesses collapsing than ever before) is a damning indictment of the electorate. As Churchill so rightly said: "The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter."

I've never really understood that part about Dundee. I've not explored it fully and there may well be some horrific places inside but I've regularly made the journey to around the harbour area and it's always looked spectacular. As I said, I can't include the inner Dundee too well but can it be as bad as parts of Glasgow? The most hideous part of Scotland, I'm sorry to say, must have been my bedroom when about 8 to 10 years old. Sad but true. Aside from that, Airdrie was pretty horrific. Places that have a lot going for it, like Dumfries and Saltcoats are unfortunately ruined by a disproportionate number of neds (but certainly in the SW it's easy to escape). I guess overall it's Glasgow. Some great places but just remembering some others [shudder].

Even if McCormack and Teale get in behind for the crosses, who's going to score? Kenny Miller?? None of the midfield trio score much either. Without McCormack or Boyd upfront (or even Iwelumo - I know I know...), what's the point of an offensive team? I'd actually prefer Miller on the right and McCormack up front myself in that team.

I don't think Calderwood had much choice in the situation. He tried to sell him but nobody was buying. Without any money, he couldn't bring in another keeper. I posed the question on P&B and have heard it on other places where Dons fans have said they'd still want rid of JC even if he finished third. Selfish b*ggers. Why let facts get in the way of ignorance?

Zemmama and Benejiloun are both looking to get out of scottish football Don't think there's a cat in hell's chance but would love either to come north.

Quite right too. After all, before Calderwood, Aberdeen weren't a team struggling with relegation all the team, including one season bottom. It's not as though he's been losing key players like Anderson, Hart, Nicholson and not been getting money to replace them. Makes me laugh that they will criticise Calderwood for getting bad results in the semi-final, whilst calling for Mark McGhee who didn't even get that far. I hope he goes. He's far too good for those whingers. Replace Paateleinen and watch Hibs fly.

I sincerely hope not... Clarkson & McCormack up front? Miller may not be everyone's cup of tea but he has always been excellent for Scotland. You may be on to something with us playing 3 centre backs but when was Wilkie called up? Wilkie hasn't been called up but this is if I was picking the team. I'm not going to limit myself to who Burley thinks should be in the squad. As far as I'm concerned, Wilkie is the best CB outside the Old Firm - and I've been saying that for the past few months too. I thought Miller was also out? Or is it just doubtful? If he is in, then yeah, Miller for Clarkson. Note: no Steven Fletcher. I'd rather have Riordan in. Fletcher, like Kenny Miller, just isn't a striker. Attacking midfielder? Yep, I can live with that but just not lethal enough to be a striker.

Revised team from me: McGregor Caldwell Whittaker - Wilkie - Berra - Naysmith D. Fletcher - Brown - Ferguson/Rae Clarkson McCormack More attacking than I'd have liked, with a lack of natural balance. Expect a stuffing!

McNeil. He's pretty young. Had a few good games, so could become a better keeper in a few years time. Goalies often mature quite late.

Except...Bamba's played really well this season.

Here goes: > Why are they not playing Granty and Pavels as a right/left combination - which appears to work better - but insisting in playing Granty as the marker which is clearly not his forte. I'd prefer horses for courses myself, rather than one size fits all but fair enough point (some weeks). > This is very serious but how can the Assistant Manager of a National Team - a feckin centre half - continue to play Lionel - That is actually VERY worrying. He must realise that he has Hastings or McBain in the background. I would expect him to look at Hastings experience and pitch him in NOW. I would favour McBain but he is an unknown/untried quantity to Butcher. Come on. We all knew it was probably a purple patch but he's been a top player. There's no way he should have been dropped. Now is star is fading, fair enough. Neither Hastings nor McBain are good enough to drop straight back in at the expense of a form player. > Why did he hook Pavels yesterday - that appeared to be the worst decision of his short spell with us - It simply had to be Lionel - He should have gone Rosscoe - Pavels - Munro - Unless Pavels had picked up an injury ? Yeah, not too sure. Maybe saving him with the game undoubtedly lost? > Surely Black and Kerr are the favoured central midfield Duncan's been one of our best players this season though. Kerr has barely played. In form, as they were, Duncan shouldn't have been dropped. Seems to be going wrong for him, so I'd like Kerr to come back in. Actually, I'd prefer Proctor to have been given his chance there but it should have been done by Brew MUCH earlier. > We have no width - playing Proctor and Foran does not provide that - or is it a deliberate defensive ploy ? What is wrong with Morais - or especially what is wrong with Vigurs ? Why didnt he come on yesterday. I can see Proctor's value in defending, even though I disagree. Either right-back or defensive midfield. He doesn't have the engine for right-mid. Foran up front is so obvious, I'm shocked he's still at left. Hes' not going to provide much but can score. Butcher doesn't like inexperience is pressure situations, hence no Vigurs, but McBain has been a top player this season so far and does have the experience. > Can understand the forward problem BUT why not play Foran as the main man - Imrie isnt the answer and neither is Rooney - yet - with experience maybe ? Why not combine Foran with Obdhiambo and Morais and drop Imrie back or introduce Vigurs. Foran (or Rooney if unavailable) as a goalhanger with one from Eric, Imrie or Morais to hassle the defence seems ideal to me.